Women in Sudan are facing severe suffering as the war between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces continues to devastate the country. The conflict which began in April twenty twenty three has claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced nearly eleven million people from their homes.
Sudan social affairs minister Sulaima Ishaq al Khalifa said women are enduring extreme levels of sexual violence. She reported cases involving victims of all ages including children and elderly women. According to her sexual abuse often occurs during raids on homes and is accompanied by looting and displacement.
The minister said women are subjected to rape sexual slavery and forced marriages. Some victims are trafficked across borders into neighboring countries.While violations have been reported on both sides she stated that abuse by the Rapid Support Forces is systematic and used as a weapon of war and ethnic cleansing.
Her ministry documented more than one thousand eight hundred rape cases between April twenty twenty three and October twenty twenty five with many more unrecorded due to stigma and insecurity. Rights groups say the real number is far higher.
International bodies including the United Nations and the International Criminal Court have raised alarms over organized campaigns of mass rape and killings particularly in Darfur. The breakdown of institutions and fear within communities continue to hinder justice and accountability.
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