In a chilling report from Human Rights Watch, the harrowing stories of women and girls in Sudan facing sexual violence at the hands of warring parties, especially the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), are brought to light. From armed men storming homes at night to repeated rapes and forced marriages, the capital Khartoum has become a battleground for the most vulnerable.
As conflict rages on between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF rebels, the city has been left devastated, with civilian neighborhoods bombed and residents fleeing for safety. The United Nations has labeled the situation in Sudan as one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory, with millions displaced and at risk of famine.
According to the HRW report, titled “Khartoum is Not Safe for Women,” women and girls in the capital have endured unimaginable horrors, including gang rapes and sexual slavery. The RSF has been singled out for its atrocities, with women and girls terrorized and cut off from aid and support services.
The stories shared by healthcare providers and responders paint a bleak picture of the trauma suffered by survivors. From forced pregnancies to fatal injuries resulting from brutal assaults, the scars left on these women and girls run deep.
Despite the severity of the crisis, there has been limited international response to the atrocities committed in Sudan. HRW calls on the warring parties to cease their attacks on healthcare facilities and workers and urges the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on those responsible for the crimes against humanity.
The voices of these survivors must be heard, and action must be taken to bring an end to the cycle of violence and abuse in Sudan.
