Adolescence is a crucial and defining stage in a girl’s life. However, girls around the world too-often face unique risks of gender discrimination and gender-based violence (GBV), including sexual violence, human trafficking, forced marriage and sexual exploitation and abuse. This is particularly the case in humanitarian settings, where girls’ already-limited access to vital services as well as family and peer support networks are disrupted by crises and displacement. Despite this, humanitarian programmes and policies do not adequately cater for adolescent girls’ needs. Falling at the nexus of childhood and adulthood, these girls are often not able or willing to access services designed for adult women or young girls.

This brief highlights research that examines the unique experience of adolescent girls by specifically exploring the types of gender-based violence and the drivers of this violence affecting this group within the context of South Sudan, where women and girls experience high levels of gender inequality and subordination. Key findings from this mixed-methods research can inform policymakers, UN agencies and donors as they identify and support programs that will effectively prevent and respond to violence against adolescent girls in conflict and humanitarian settings. 

Read the full report here.