COVID-19 and Female Learners in South Sudan: The impact of school closures in Juba, Rumbek, Kapoeta, Torit and Pibor

The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting closure of South Sudan's schools in March 2020 exacerbated many of the challenges female learners face in pursuing an education. Research conducted for this paper found that increased poverty, domestic care work, early and forced marriage, and teenage pregnancy would make it difficult for female learners to return to schools when they reopened in May 2021. The paper, written by the Institute of Social and Policy Research, sets out how greater financial and material support to female learners and their schools; more inclusive school environments for mothers and married or pregnant learners; and improved availability of services for learners experiencing gender-based violence, early and forced marriage or pregnancy are necessary to adequately support female learners to continue their education.