The government and the UN have launched a national action plan to reduce the effects of conflict on women and girls to ensure that they play a role in ending wars.

The National Action Plan 2015-2020 is to implement a UN Security Council resolution on women, peace and security and post-conflict periods.

The plan is also meant to increase the participation of women in crisis prevention, conflict management, and peacebuilding and protect women against any forms of gender-based violence.

“This National Action Plan must be a political commitment, a strong promise and a call for action by the leaders of this country to the women and girls of this young nation that never and never again shall women suffer disproportionately because of war and never again shall women be exploited for whatever reason,” Eugene Owusu, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, said at the launch of the plan in Juba on Tuesday.

At the same occasion, the Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare said the government is committed to protect and improve the status of all women in the country.

Awut Deng Acuil says the implementation of this action plan will help in reducing the effect of conflict on women and girls.

“[It’ll] provide protection for women and girls, including those with disabilities, against all forms of sexual and gender-based violence,” Ms Deng stated.

The launch comes after several reports of rape and sexual abuses against women in many parts of the country.