Women 'main victims' of Sudan crisis as sexual violence used as weapon of war

Overview of Sexual Violence in Sudan Conflict

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has resulted in extensive human rights violations, particularly against women. The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been engaged in hostilities, leading to significant loss of life and widespread displacement. Reports indicate that sexual violence is prevalent, with many cases occurring in conjunction with looting and attacks.

Women across Sudan have been subjected to various forms of abuse, including rape, sexual slavery, and human trafficking. The violence affects all age groups, with cases involving victims as young as one year old and as elderly as 85. Forced marriages are reportedly being arranged to avoid the stigma associated with these crimes.

Sulaima Ishaq al-Khalifa, a government official and long-time women's rights activist, states that sexual violence by the RSF is systematic and used as a weapon of war. According to her ministry, over 1,800 rapes have been documented between April 2023 and October 2025, excluding incidents in specific regions post-October.

The SIHA Network, an organization monitoring abuses in the Horn of Africa, found that the majority of recorded sexual violence cases are attributed to the RSF. The United Nations and the International Criminal Court (ICC) are investigating these incidents as potential war crimes, with evidence suggesting an organized campaign of mass rapes and executions.

Documenting these cases is challenging due to the breakdown of state institutions and social stigma within conservative communities. Many victims face pressure to marry to conceal the incidents, particularly when pregnancies occur due to rape.

Based on reporting by Africanews.