Women Affected During Sudan Crisis
On April 15, 2023, violent confrontations broke out in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to the displacement of over 11.5 million individuals. According to the Code of Federal Regulations, this conflict is largely a struggle for power between the leaders of the SAF and the RSF. Since the conflict began, nearly 15,000 individuals have lost their lives, and over 8.2 million have been forced to flee, leading to the most severe global displacement crisis in history.
This conflict intensified numerous issues in Sudan, such as ongoing conflicts, disease outbreaks, economic and political instability, as well as climate-related emergencies. However, it has particularly impacted Sudanese women. Numerous rapes and suicides have been reported each day, and the numbers continue to increase.
According to a BBC article titled, “Women raped in war-hit Sudan die by suicide, activists say,” it has been reported that “Several women in Sudan’s central Gezira state have taken their own lives after being raped by paramilitary fighters amid the brutal civil war in the country, according to rights organizations and activists.”
Additionally, a PBS report from February 2024 noted that 118 women were raped and assaulted both at home and in public. An article published by UNICEF, “Sudan: Top un officials sound alarm at spike In violence against women and girls,” explains these actions are due to gender-based violence used “…as a tactic of war to terrorize people” and to create chaos.
Due to these rapes and suicides, other Sudanese women have been left feeling terrified and unsafe as they are all at risk. PBS continued by stating that surviving victims and witnesses have fled to neighboring countries to protect themselves and their children.
In response to the crisis, some Sudanese women have established peace initiatives, humanitarian projects, and civil society organizations as a means of hope. Moreover, numerous relief efforts have been established to protect innocent victims, including World Vision, IRC, Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, Sudan Conflict Response Fund, and many more, as the people of Sudan await a conflict resolution.
