Esteemed readers and partners,
UNFPA South Sudan brings you the first quarter (January – March) Newsletter for the year 2025. This is a collection of stories highlighting UNFPA South Sudan Country Office’s response as it works around the Development, Humanitarian, and Peace Nexus.
In this edition, you will read stories of rebuilding lives of women refugees and returnees affected by crisis, climate change and how it deepens gender inequality, raising the voices of women at national and global platforms as well as efforts to enhance the dignity of vulnerable women and girls. The newsletter also reflects on engagement of young people through debates to make informed choices on their reproductive health, and training of health professionals especially midwives and nurses as a critical strategy for improving health for the people of South Sudan.
The month of March was important for UNFPA with the commemoration of International Women’s Day and a statement by East and Southern Africa Regional Director (ESARO) that call on investments in
the health and rights of women and girls, un- leashing the potential of half of humanity, lead- ing to safer and more prosperous societies for everyone.
In addition, high-level engagements held include the sixty-ninth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York. South Sudan took the opportunity to high- light to the global community the challenges that confront women in South Sudan, as well as their resilience and agency, including the strides the Government and partners have made in supporting their empowerment.
South Sudan is faced with multiple crises such as climate shocks, the influx of refugees and returnees affected by the war in Sudan and heightened internal conflict. With this, many women and girls are falling victim to conflict- related sexual and Gender-Based Violence, putting them at constant threat to lose lives, in addition to loss of health services and other
basic needs. UNFPA is on the ground to deliver lifesaving services and uphold dignity.
With changing global financing landscape and the devastating funding cuts the organization has received, UNFPA recommits its efforts to our core mission of supporting the delivering a South Sudan where every pregnancy is intend- ed, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. I reaffirm commitment to collective efforts for the prosperity and wellbeing of the people of South Sudan.
