Hope for a Better Tomorrow: Children’s voices from Bor and Juba, South Sudan

Prior to and following independence which was attained on 9 July 2011, South Sudan has been marred by armed conflict, resulting in devastating impacts on children irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, level of education and social standing. To enhance the capacity of the African Peace and Security Architecture to prevent and respond to violence against children, the ICPAPSA (Integrating Child Protection within the African Peace and Security Architecture) project was conceptualised. It is intended, as one of the project outcomes, that children affected by armed conflict contribute to decisions and processes of the African Union (AU), Regional Mechanisms and Bodies, and Member States.

To gain an in-depth understanding of perspectives from children on how armed conflict has impacted them, consultations with children, parents, CSOs and NGOs implementing child protection programs were undertaken in Juba and Bor between 8 and 18 October 2018. According to the children and adults who participated in the research, there has been a devastating and complex impact of armed conflict on children in South Sudan. During the consultations, participants reported living in peace and harmony within their communities before the conflict started, sexual abuse and violence was limited, and they were optimistic about the future and had a sense of belonging and healthy relationships with family and other key adults. The outbreak of armed conflict was associated with deaths of family members and relatives, disconnecting children from family and community support systems, disabilities, disruption of service delivery, food insecurity and malnutrition.