Due to the ongoing conflict in some parts of South Sudan, adolescent girls face higher risk of sexual and reproductive health, Plan International reports.
The conclusion came after Plan International conducted a study in Juba, Magwi, Torit, Yei and Lainya Counties on the impact of conflict on adolescent girls in healthcare, education, security among others.
It found out that the girls face higher risk of sexual and reproductive health due to the widespread of sexual violence and early marriages.
Conflict and economic crisis are affecting the life of girls in enrolling in school and limited access to healthcare, says John Honohan, Director for Research Forcier Consultancy Company.
The rising cost of sanitary pads is making menstruation a further burrier to attendance, while early marriage is forcing many girls to drop out of school, he adds.
John continued that lack of enough teachers due to displacement and low salaries, cost of school fees and materials are some of the barriers to education.
Plan International recommends that communities be trained to provide essential health services in areas with limited access to healthcare.
It also advocates for training of girls to educate and disseminate simple messages on sexual and reproductive health, training of teachers, support vulnerable boys and girls with school fees and materials.
It adds that conditional cash transfers should be provided to households to keep girls in school, Map-out existing interventions to ensure continued provision of hygiene kits to adolescent girls through effective cooperation.
William Ater Maciek, Advisor in the Ministry of General Education, admits that all that is happening is because of the war.
He apologizes to the people of South Sudan for being returned to war after independence.Ater calls for efforts to find solution to the current problems.
The officials talked to CRN on Tuesday during the launch of a report on the impact of the conflict in the country on adolescents.