Sudanese Women Between the Fires of War and Military Abuses… An Unbounded Human Tragedy

11th February 2025

3 minutes read

Sudanese Women Between the Fires of War and Military Abuses… An Unbounded Human Tragedy

Sudan is experiencing one of the worst crises in its modern history, as war has raged between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, leading to the country’s devastation on all levels. Amid this bloody chaos, Sudanese women have been the greatest victims, suffering grave violations beyond description, ranging from sexual violence and systematic rape to forced displacement and sexual slavery. This sheds light on a horrifying aspect of Sudan’s ongoing humanitarian tragedy.

The Army and Human Rights Violations in Sudan

Since the outbreak of the conflict, the Sudanese army has turned into a repressive force employing brutal violence against civilians, especially women and girls. Human rights reports indicate the systematic use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, with many women subjected to gang rape and sexual assaults in conflict zones.

The warring parties are accused of using women as tools of retaliation and a means of asserting dominance over local communities, reflecting a dangerous level of brutality and inhumanity. Many victims remain silent due to fear of shame or retaliation, making these crimes even more harrowing both psychologically and socially.

Women between the Horrors of War and Sexual Violence

Sudanese women’s suffering extends beyond physical violence to severe social and psychological consequences. Many rape survivors face social ostracization, forcing them to suffer in silence. Concerns also mount over the spread of sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies among victims, amidst the total absence of healthcare and psychological support.

Additionally, forced displacement has increased women’s and girls’ vulnerability, forcing them to flee their homes and endure harsh conditions in refugee camps, where they remain subject to further physical and psychological exploitation.

Sudanese Activists Condemn Military Violations

Amid this tragic reality, courageous Sudanese women activists have emerged to expose these crimes and demand accountability. Human rights defenders such as Wini Omer, Rasha Awad, and Tahani Abbas have led efforts to document and reveal the abuses against women, accusing the army of using sexual violence as a war tactic.

Activist Wini Omer described the situation as a “war against women in every sense”, emphasizing that sexual violence is a deliberate combat strategy rather than isolated incidents. Rasha Awad criticized the international community’s inaction, arguing that Sudanese women are being physically and politically exploited amid complete absence of justice.

Meanwhile, lawyer and activist Tahani Abbas denounced the military regime’s culture of impunity, stressing that survivors face social pressure and government neglect, making it difficult for them to speak out or seek justice.

Despite significant risks, these activists continue their struggle through social media and human rights platforms, calling for international investigations, fair trials for perpetrators, and psychological and social support for victims.

Human Rights Organizations and International Response

Despite shocking reports of violence against women in Sudan, the international response remains slow and inadequate. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have documented widespread rape and sexual violence, urging the international community to take firm action. However, responses so far have fallen short of addressing the gravity of these crimes.

What Sudanese women endure at the hands of the army is not just collateral damage of war but a deliberate crime aimed at dismantling society from within. Global inaction and local indifference further exacerbate their suffering and embolden perpetrators. Urgent international action is needed to hold those responsible accountable, protect women, and provide psychological and legal support to survivors—because what is happening in Sudan must not go unpunished.