Sudan’s ongoing conflict has led to alarming levels of sexual violence against women and girls aged nine to 60, with survivors facing significant barriers to accessing healthcare, according to a recent report.
Titled ‘Khartoum is Not Safe for Women,’ the report from a notable human rights organization reveals testimonials from 42 healthcare professionals and first responders detailing incidents of sexual violence, forced marriages, and child marriages since hostilities escalated in April 2023 between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Between April 2023 and February 2024, healthcare providers in greater Khartoum treated 262 survivors of sexual violence, specifically highlighting the struggles of those in Omdurman. However, first responders estimate that reported cases represent only a small portion of the actual number, as many survivors are either unable or unwilling to seek necessary medical care.
The report asserts that the RSF has perpetrated numerous crimes, including rapes and forced marriages, targeting women and girls across residential areas in Sudan’s capital. Both warring factions have exacerbated the plight of victims, obstructing their access to essential aid and support services, which further deepens their trauma.
The detailed 88-page report also outlines conditions that could equate to sexual slavery. While the RSF has been primarily associated with systematic sexual violence, instances of abuse by army soldiers have also been documented. An increase in reported cases has been noted since the army gained control of Omdurman in early 2024.
Survivors across Sudan report severe physical injuries resulting from sexual assault, with at least four women treated by healthcare professionals succumbing to their injuries. Pregnancies resulting from these assaults leave women without access to abortion care, heightening their vulnerability to violence and social ostracization, with some even being abandoned by their families.
As the army enforces a siege on RSF-controlled regions, severely restricting medical and humanitarian aid, local volunteer responders have become crucial in addressing incidents of sexual violence. Unfortunately, these volunteers have frequently been targeted by both sides, with reports of sexual violence against them as well.
The findings illustrate a grave situation, with the RSF’s actions classified as both war crimes and crimes against humanity, while attacks on healthcare by both factions are similarly condemned. Calls have been made for international intervention, urging entities like the African Union and the United Nations to deploy a civilian protection force in Sudan.
The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, with some estimates suggesting that up to 150,000 lives have been lost. The situation has led to the largest displacement crisis globally, with over 10.7 million individuals displaced within Sudan — which is on the verge of famine — and an additional 2 million fleeing to neighboring countries.
