A recent report released by Human Rights Watch has shed light on the widespread sexual and gender-based violence taking place in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, amidst the ongoing civil war that began in April 2023. The report details horrific instances of rape and gang rape, as well as attacks on health facilities and staff by forces commanded by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Interviews with service providers who directly interacted with survivors of sexual violence revealed that women, girls, men, and boys as young as nine years old have been subjected to these atrocities.
The RSF forces, in particular, have been accused of numerous violations, with survivors recounting cases of being raped by multiple perpetrators, sometimes up to five RSF fighters. Many survivors were confined to their homes or other facilities occupied by the RSF, where they experienced repeated incidents of rape. Some women and girls were also subjected to forced or child marriages as a means of protection from further abuse or for financial reasons.
The report highlighted the immense physical, emotional, and psychological scars that survivors of sexual violence in Sudan have been left with, with some cases even resulting in death due to the severity of the injuries sustained. Doctors Without Borders has also confirmed the prevalence of sexual violence in Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, where ethnic cleansing has been reported.
As the conflict in Sudan continues to displace millions of people, the international community is urged to take action to protect the rights and safety of vulnerable populations who are facing the devastating impacts of sexual and gender-based violence.
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