The plight of Sudanese women amidst the ongoing conflict and the urgent need for international attention and support.
In 2019, Sudanese women played a pivotal role in the protests that led to the ouster of President Omar Hassan al-Bashir. They stood at the forefront, demanding democracy and change. However, the current war in Sudan has taken a devastating toll on women. Displacement, healthcare crises, and a rampant epidemic of sexual and gender-based violence have become the daily reality for many Sudanese women. As the world’s attention is drawn elsewhere, it is crucial not to turn a blind eye to the suffering of these women.
Displacement and Healthcare Crisis
Since the war erupted in mid-April, over six million people have been displaced in Sudan, with an estimated 105,000 pregnant women among them. The United Nations reports that nearly 90% of the 1.2 million refugees who have fled to neighboring countries are women and children. The healthcare system in conflict areas is in shambles, with 70 to 80% of hospitals non-operational. This dire situation has dire consequences for women in need of maternal health medicines.
Epidemic of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
The World Health Organization warns that more than four million women and girls in Sudan are at risk of sexual violence. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused of violating humanitarian and human rights laws. However, the RSF’s brutal and widespread use of rape and other forms of sexual violence has raised particular alarm. Some of these acts appear to be ethnically and racially motivated, reminiscent of the Darfur crisis two decades ago.
RSF’s War Crimes
Human Rights Watch has documented a “staggering number of rapes and other war crimes” committed by the RSF during attacks on West Darfur’s capital, el-Geneina. The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa has recorded numerous cases of women forcibly disappeared while fleeing the fighting, kidnapped for ransom, or abducted and forced into sexual slavery. The stories of survivors are heart-wrenching, with one 21-year-old woman sharing, “I am four months pregnant. I cannot even count how many times I have been raped.”
Allegations of External Support
Accusations have surfaced regarding the United Arab Emirates (UAE) supplying arms to the RSF. Reports suggest that the UAE’s material support for the RSF is an open secret. The involvement of regional powers in worsening the situation for Sudan’s women is deeply concerning. The international community, including the UAE, must prioritize peace and human rights over selfish economic and strategic interests. The UAE’s hosting of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) should not overshadow its responsibility to sever any ties with the RSF.
Conclusion:
The plight of Sudanese women in the ongoing war is a humanitarian crisis that demands urgent attention. As a former president who witnessed the power of women’s empowerment in rebuilding a nation, I implore all regional and international actors to play a constructive role in bringing peace to Sudan. The suffering of Sudanese women cannot be ignored, even amidst other global crises. It is our collective responsibility to contribute to their empowerment and ensure their voices are heard.
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeera’s editorial stance.
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