Content_paragraphs:  Given the already high risk of persecution that civil society leaders in South
  
  Sudan face, and the increased risk that an electoral period could bring in that regard,
  
  it would be beneficial if UNMISS increased its focus on protecting human rights
  
  defenders. The Security Council could consider including such a focus in the
  
  UNMISS mandate as appropriate. There is also a need for UNMISS to deepen its
  
  focus on conflict-related sexual violence and its understanding of such violence as a
  
  key facet of conflict that undermines peace. Public reporting by the Human Rights
  
  Division in 2019 and 2020 included reporting that was specifically focused on
  
  conflict-related sexual violence, and UNMISS officials contributed to the country’s
  
  capacity to address conflict-related sexual violence by means of training and
  
  curriculum development. However, those efforts need broader support from the
  
  Mission. Some interlocutors proposed incorporating in its work, where possible and
  
  where it has limitations, specialized expertise and capacity made available through
  
  other United Nations system entities, such as the United Nations Entity for Gender
  
  Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women). The UNMISS Human
  
  Rights Division, alongside its Rule of Law Advisory Section and electoral affairs
  
  officers, will also need to support legislative reforms envisioned as part of the
  
  implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. 
  
  
  
  S/2020/1224
   
  
   
  
  20-16178 66/74