Amidst Climate Crisis, Women In South Sudan Reportedly Live In Fear Of Increased Gender-Based Violence, Sexual Abuse
The situation in South Sudan is so grave right now, it is unimaginable. The women and children there are struggling for their survival after the July 2020 floods washed away their homes and means of livelihood. This has left the people there wandering and searching for a shelter and looking for means to feed their children. This situation has also left the women there with a greater problem – the problem of safety. There has been a rise in gender-based violence in South Sudan amid these already trying times.
South Sudan Women Face Gender-Based Violence
A report by Relief Web has quoted a woman named Nyachar Gatneay Rial who used to collect firewood, sell charcoal and fresh milk to sustain a living is now forced to sell tea in the local market to meet her needs. The women there are unable to collect firewood because the areas they have to go to for it are unsafe for them as they can be attacked there. Plus, there is already the danger of crocodiles and snakes in their surroundings.
The statistics stated in the report mention that 2.6 million people are prone to gender-based violence which is a 25 per cent increase from 2021. Women and girls avoid going to places like markets, water points and even washrooms to avoid getting nabbed or raped. If this isn’t bone-chilling, I don’t know what is.
Women have also left their husbands because they were unable to provide for their families anymore. To avoid getting attacked, women travel in groups because they cannot just sit at home and starve. These women are risking their lives to feed their children and it is nothing but gut-wrenching.
This situation could also happen in India as the latest news reports have stated that India is already experiencing a severe water crisis A Niti Aayog report has mentioned how 600 million people are already deprived of water. We need to get more conscious of our water usage and start conserving this natural resource.
Image courtesy – Low Tech Magazine
