Abuk Buol, 39, is one of many South Sudanese women who endured sexual violence and displacement during the country’s brutal conflict.
Today, she is on the path to recovery and empowerment, participating in a workshop aimed at strengthening the socio-economic resilience of survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV).
Now reunited with her family in Bor, a town heavily affected by the civil wars, the mother of six is rebuilding her life and advocating for justice.
Through skills training and livelihood support, Abuk has launched small businesses such as retail trading and soap-making—ventures that align with local market needs and her personal interests.
She is among 60 women participating in a wider initiative across Jonglei, Unity, Western Equatoria, and Juba, supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and South Sudan’s Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare.
The project provides survivor-centered services such as medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, and economic assistance. Survivors are also encouraged to share their stories and help others overcome similar trauma.
The recent workshop served as a platform to identify challenges survivors face in accessing services and reintegrating into society. It also aimed to strengthen partnerships, share best practices, and amplify survivors’ voices in shaping prevention and response strategies.
Organizers hope the initiative will lead to stronger commitments from both national and international stakeholders and push for policy reforms to better support survivors of sexual violence in South Sudan.
