Gender-based violence (GBV) includes physical, sexual, mental, and economic harm that affects women and girls in private or public settings. As conflicts escalate, warfare poses greater risks to women and girls, with over 676 million women living near conflict zones. Violence worsens inequalities, complicating recovery.
Understanding the Sudanese Conflict
On April 15th, 2023, fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) marked the start of the Sudanese civil war, which has displaced more than 12 million people, creating the world’s largest displacement crisis. This war has led to Sudanese civilians struggling to secure food, water, and medical supplies. With both the SAF and RSF having little incentive to reach a ceasefire and regional backers profiting from Sudan’s war, the violence continues to affect communities across the nation.
The rise in gender based violence in Sudan is largely driven by conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV). CRSV includes serious acts of sexual violence committed against individuals connected to a conflict, whether directly or indirectly. This kind of violence often happens during times of state collapse, displacement, trafficking, or ceasefire breaches, as seen in Sudan.
Impacts of the Sudanese Conflict on Women and Girls
Women, who make up more than half the Sudanese displaced population, have been the primary victims of Sudan´s ongoing turmoil. Since the beginning of the war, gender based violence in Sudan has quadrupled. Sexual violence is being used as a weapon of war.
The RSF has habitually been using sexual violence, arguably as a means to humiliate and assert control over displaced people. Survivors have reported sexual violence being a response to suspicion of SAF affiliation, and even against female medical workers for being unable to save wounded soldiers. There are also instances of physical violence against children who have tried to stop violence against their family members. RSF soldiers have also used other forms of torture and degrading treatment which create severe bodily injury to Sudanese women and girls. As well as causing massive physical harm, this also causes mental harm that has had devastating impacts on individuals and their families.
SAF Culpability
Although the RSF accounts for much of the gender-based violence in Sudan, the SAF has also been implicated in acts of violence against Sudanese women. The SAF subjects women and girls to sexual exploitation in exchange for food within their controlled territories. Given that internally displaced persons often seek refuge in areas controlled by the SAF, reporting incidents of rape by the SAF becomes significantly challenging for victims.
While there are many reports of gender-based violence, many cases go unreported and sometimes victims are unable to seek justice due to societal stigma and political pressures, leaving many afraid to report it to authorities or even to family. There have been instances in which women seeking shelter after a rape-related pregnancy have been turned away from shelters due to social stigma. With nowhere else to turn, women are left in very vulnerable positions, which, in turn, heightens their vulnerability due to a lack of essential services, such as water points and toilets.
Additionally, the physical destruction has left the justice system in Sudan non-functioning, creating a climate of impunity for crimes committed. This situation worsens the hardships faced by the population, as people lack the protection and support that a strong legal system could provide. And with women’s rights organisations, defenders, and female humanitarian volunteers in Sudan, themselves being threatened with sexual violence, death threats, and even some reports of people disappearing, there has been a significant decrease in local help.
Most importantly, women are unable to access vital medical treatment for injuries and diseases inflicted upon them, as 80 per cent of hospitals in Sudan’s conflict zones no longer function. The lack of female staff at health centres limits women’s access to services, as cultural and religious norms require women to be attended to by female medical personnel.
What’s Next?
Although it is well documented that gender-based violence escalates during periods of war and conflict, such violence can occur under any circumstances. Certainly, terminating the war in Sudan is the primary objective and would contribute to a massive reduction in levels of sexual violence; however, ending the war does not fundamentally address the underlying causes of gender-based violence and address the harm that has been inflicted on women and girls throughout the conflict.
Women in Sudan urgently need protection to prevent further conflict-related sexual violence. Authorities, humanitarian groups, and the international community must take sustained action. Survivor support through services, legal accountability, and protection is key, as increasing aid, healthcare, psychological support, and documentation ensures survivors receive help. Promoting safe discussions on sex and violence reduces stigma, empowering women and girls to know their rights.
While women have been on the front line, providing support to their communities, they have been excluded from diplomatic talks at both the regional and international level. Despite their crucial role, women are underrepresented in decision-making. Including women in peacemaking highlights the importance of Sudanese women and ensures their voices, experiences, and leadership are valued. The international community must act to not only help end the war in Sudan but also to protect, amplify, and support Sudanese women’s experiences and leadership in building peace and equity.
To quote Audre Lorde, one of the world´s preeminent feminist philosophers and human rights activist: “I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own.”
