The humanitarian country team in Sudan is deeply concerned by an increase in conflict-related sexual violence – Sudan

(Port Sudan, September 26, 2024) – The Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in Sudan is deeply alarmed by a spike in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) in Sudan. Women and girls bear the brunt of this conflict and face multiple forms of sexual violence, while there are increasing reports of men and boys also becoming victims of sexual violence.

Recent reports from Khartoum and Al Jazira have shown a disturbing increase in cases of women and girls being abducted and subjected to rape, forced marriage and sexual captivity. We have also seen a staggering 288 percent increase in the number of survivors seeking case management services for gender-based violence (GBV) in the first seven months of 2024. While these figures are alarming, they represent only a small fraction of the true scale and prevalence of this violence, which is believed to be far more widespread and devastating for women and girls across the country. We are also seeing alarming cases of sexual exploitation driven by food insecurity and water scarcity, along with severely limited access to essential post-rape care and support services for survivors.

Women-led national organisations and women humanitarian workers are at the forefront of responding to these violations, providing life-saving services and support to survivors in some of the most affected and hard-to-reach areas. Their work is vital to ensuring that the needs of women and girls are met, despite the debilitating challenges posed by ongoing conflict and insecurity. Alarmingly, their safety and continued presence in these areas are increasingly at risk as they face targeted attacks.

We unequivocally condemn the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and all actions that threaten the physical and psychological well-being and integrity of women, girls, men and boys, and humanitarian workers. Sexual violence is a serious violation of human rights and international humanitarian law. We call on all parties to the conflict to cease all acts of violence, including sexual violence, and to uphold their legal obligations under international humanitarian law, in particular the protection of civilians and respect for humanitarian action and providers.

We further urge authorities, both at national and local levels where they have influence, to take immediate action to protect the lives, dignity and well-being of women, girls, men and boys, survivors of sexual violence and women humanitarian workers. All parties to the conflict must ensure unhindered humanitarian access to post-rape care and protection support.

In solidarity with survivors and those who support them, HCT reaffirms its unwavering commitment and support to combat the rising trends of CRSV and strengthen our collective humanitarian response. We must work together to protect the most vulnerable and ensure that no survivor of sexual violence is left behind in this crisis.
The HCT in Sudan consists of United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, together with national and international non-governmental organisations.

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