I will never forget the teacher who negotiated to be gang-raped instead of her daughter. These war crimes against women must be addressed
Since April 2023, Sudan’s women and girls have been subjected to systematic rape and sexual torture. Specialised support and justice for them is key to the country’s recovery and future
TL;DR
- Conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) has been systematically used in Sudan for over two decades by various regimes and insurgents.
- Perpetrators utilize sexual violence to achieve objectives such as land seizure, forced displacement, resource extraction, and silencing dissent.
- Since April 2023, the RSF and its allies have escalated CRSV against women and girls in multiple regions of Sudan.
- Survivors often face community blame, shame, and criminalization by authorities, exacerbating their suffering.
- Many women and children endure prolonged captivity as sexual slaves, and some resort to self-harm or die due to untreated injuries.
- Fractured judicial and health systems, coupled with inadequate support, leave survivors without access to justice or essential care.
- The deep-rooted nature of CRSV in Sudan is linked to the state's violent and discriminatory character and the unchecked flow of arms.
- Despite international sanctions, specific accountability for perpetrators of CRSV is lacking, and funding for survivors remains inadequate.
- Addressing sexual violence must be central to the broader struggle for peace, justice, and a new vision of sovereignty in Sudan.