Deteriorating Situation for Sudanese Women, Activists Alarmingly Caution
In Sudan, there has been a significant increase in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against women and girls, driven primarily by the ongoing war between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). This violence includes rape, abduction, and collective assaults affecting all ages, from infants to the elderly.
According to reports, over 4,600 verified cases of CRSV globally were recorded in 2024, marking a 25% rise from the previous year. In Sudan, the country is singled out as having "the world’s worst protection crisis," with widespread destruction of health infrastructure limiting survivors’ access to urgent medical and psychological care.
The RSF is most frequently cited as using sexual violence systematically as a weapon of war, continuing patterns from the Darfur conflict since 2003. The SAF and other armed groups are also implicated, though comprehensive data on their involvement remains limited or outdated.
Sudanese laws such as the ‘Formula 8’ require survivors to report sexual violence to the police before accessing healthcare, an effectively prohibitive barrier in conflict zones. Grassroots organizations provide essential emergency and safe sanctuary support but are often underfunded and face harassment. Stigma and discrimination discourage survivors from seeking support, leading many women and girls to avoid medical and GBV services altogether.
Conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence is a major driver of displacement and migration, with adolescent girls especially vulnerable and citing it as a key reason for fleeing to South Sudan. Economic vulnerability further exacerbates risks of sexual exploitation, highlighting the need for integrated prevention, response, and economic empowerment programs.
Urgent international and local efforts focus on improving survivor services, protection, and data collection to address this escalating crisis. However, data gaps persist regarding the full scope of CRSV in Sudan, complicating the response.
Recent reports indicate that between 18 and 20 women were raped in one attack during the Sudanese conflict, with the perpetrators primarily being members of the RSF. The Combating Violence against Women and Children Unit in Sudan, headed by Sulaima AlKhalifi, has reported 42 registered sexual violence cases in Khartoum, but the situation may be more widespread across the country.
The war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has resulted in widespread destruction, and concerns over allegations of sexual violence, particularly rape cases, continue to mount. It is crucial that urgent action is taken to address this alarming trend and provide support to survivors of CRSV in Sudan.
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