Medical Professionals Reveal Alarming Accounts from Sudan
Inthe ongoing civil war in Sudan, the incidence of sexual violence against women and girls has escalated, with devastating societal impacts. According to Doctors Without Borders (MSF), the region has become a battleground where women cannot escape the threat of sexual assault, regardless of precautions taken.
The humanitarian organization reports that women in Sudan are almost constantly at risk. Claire San Filippo, MSF's emergency coordinator, stated, "Women and girls cannot feel safe anywhere. They are attacked in their homes, when they flee the violence, collect firewood, or work in the fields." In the Darfur region, sexual violence is so rampant that many consider it an inevitable part of life.
Since April 2023, government troops, led by de facto ruler Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, have been engaged in a bitter fight against the RSF militia for control of the country. As a result, around 12.4 million people within Sudan or neighboring countries have been displaced due to the conflict, according to United Nations figures.
MSF has provided care to 659 survivors of sexual violence in South Darfur between January 2024 and March 2025. Of these survivors, 86% reported being raped, 94% were women and girls, and 56% identified their assailants as members of military, police, or other security forces, or non-state armed groups. Furthermore, 55% of the survivors reported experiencing additional physical violence during the assault, and 31% were under the age of 18, with 7% younger than 10 years old.
The societal impact of sexual violence in Sudan is profound. Displaced women and girls are at heightened risk while in transit, in temporary shelters, or at border crossings. Fear of retribution by armed groups, high levels of stigma, and challenges accessing services contribute to sexual and gender-based violence being underreported. Survivors often suffer from severe psychological trauma, which can lead to long-term mental health issues and social isolation. The use of sexual violence as a weapon of war has contributed to the displacement of communities and the destabilization of societal structures.
The RSF militia has been accused of widespread sexual assaults by human rights organizations and the United Nations. However, many victims remain silent out of shame in conservative Sudanese society, where rape is associated with social stigma. Amnesty International has documented widespread sexual violence by the RSF against women and girls in various regions of Sudan. UNICEF reported hundreds of cases of rape and sexual assault against children, some as young as one year old. The UN Humanitarian Coordination Forum has highlighted the increased risks of sexual violence for women and girls in vulnerable situations.
- The Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers, particularly women, from the psychological trauma related to exposure to the societal impacts of sexual violence in ionizing radiation-related environments, such as war-and-conflicts.
- As the pace of advancements in science and medical-conditions continues to grow, it is crucial to address the prevalence of sexual violence in health-and-wellness discussions, including its impact on sexual-health and mental health.
- In the political landscape, it is essential to prioritize policies aimed at addressing sexual violence in Sudan, considering it a societal problem that affects general-news, human rights, and the overall well-being of the population.
- The escalating incidence of sexual violence in Sudan underscores the need for increased awareness and education about the issue, not just within the region, but globally, as part of the broader discourse on health-and-wellness, particularly in the context of war-and-conflicts and human rights.
