The need for gender-based violence services has increased 100% since the crisis began in April 2023, with the UN agency advocating for gender issues reporting that up to 6.7 million people needed support by the end of last year.
Since then, cases of conflict-related sexual violence, sexual exploitation and abuse have increased, particularly in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan.
Many cases of abuse committed against displaced women and girls go unreported due to fear of stigma and inadequate support from other community members.
insufficient food and medical care
With severe food insecurity and abuse reaching record highs in war-torn Sudan, female-headed households are being affected more than male-headed households.
Additionally, despite approximately 54,000 births expected over the next three months, 1.63 million women of childbearing age do not receive adequate health care.
The warning explained:Women and girls also continue to be disproportionately affected by the lack of safe, accessible and affordable water and sanitation facilities..”
“At least 80% of internally displaced women do not have access to clean water due to affordability, safety concerns and distance issues,” it continued.
education crisis
Girls’ access to education is also a major concern in Sudan, with more than 2.5 million school-age girls unable to return to the classroom. There is an increased risk of being “subject to harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.”
“Women and girls in Sudan face unimaginable challenges. But their strength and resilience continue to inspire us.” said Hodan Addou, Acting Regional Director of UN Women’s Office for Eastern and Southern Africa. “We cannot allow Sudan to become a forgotten crisis.”
call to action
UN Women said urgent action was needed to protect women and girls in Sudan and ensure their access to food, safe water and sexual and reproductive health services.
The Secretariat is calling on the international community and humanitarian partners to support funding for women-led organizations that prioritize protecting and empowering women and girls.
“Now more than ever, the international community must come together to support women in Sudan.We ensure they have the resources and protection they need to survive and rebuild their lives,” said Hodan Addou.
UN Women is also calling for an immediate halt to fighting, but all international efforts to achieve a ceasefire between RSF militias and government forces have so far fallen short.
