Sudan has been going through a brutal conflict since 2023. But no one stopped or cared about people of Sudan. War has always been waged between and by men. They fight, win, or die. In the case of Sudan, it is different; we see women as a targeted tool just to create fear, dominance Sexual violence, rape, and forced abduction are used as weapons of war in front of their families just to traumatize them; it is not a battle in the field. It is a psychological war or strategy used to disable people so that they do not demand their rights. It has been three years; Sudanese women have been targeted for sexual violence, rape, and abduction. Now they are only living bodies who are waiting for death.
According to the report, 12M Sudanese are at risk of gender-based violence, including rape and sexual assault, with 95% in North Darfur and 68% in South Darfur assaulted by armed men, of whom 20% are survivors who are children under five.
Different reports highlighted here refer to the UN Women report; the reports tell that Sudanese women now need the biggest aid that is helping them to come out from the trauma of the atrocities or brutality of armed men. Reports say that the people of Sudan needing help or protection increased four times since the day the war started. That is not just a ratio; it also represents millions of lives transmuted. Mostly young girls are victims of this brutality. In fact, medical organizations like Doctors Without Borders report that all the survivors they treat are women and girls.
Everyday situations are getting worse or more painful because this grave crime is taking place everywhere. For women, battlegrounds remain undefined as they are under attack in camps, grounds, shopping areas, water filtration plants, and even homes. They illegally enter through force and assault their women.
There is no safe place left, not even a grave now. The war crime is not human-intended. It is used as a weapon or strategy to spread fear or to control communities and force them to flee from the region. According to the UN human rights office, it has reported that these acts are systematic or organized through proper planning. The report includes rape, abduction, and even sexual slavery. These are not only violations; in fact, they are grave crimes against humanity.
Not only this, but they are afraid to speak due to social pressure and afraid of rejection by their families or society. Other than this obstacle, women have no access to hospitals or support services or financial conditions; due to this, they lost their lives. As a result, numerous cases are never reported, and the accurate data remains unknown.
Simultaneously, millions of people become refugees, internally displaced, or settled in open camps by the conflict. Women and girls are most vulnerable in the camps that have no protection system or where there is all the time risk of abuse. According to various sources or reports of human rights organizations, millions of women and children in Sudan are at risk of gender-based violence.
Due to lack of accountability, these war crimes become strategies now in wars. Although international law clearly declares that sexual violence is a grave crime against humanity. But problems lie in that due to power, nobody punishes these responsible people. The world’s wittiness, reports have written, and statements have been made, but real action is rarely seen.
There are only a few organizations or media that highlight or bring coverage in front of the world or stand with victims. They help the world see what is happening behind the headlines.
Sudan is not the only one who suffers; all the conflict-prone areas suffered from this violation. It is not about them; it is a test of entire national or international communities. If such crimes continue without consequence, it sends a dangerous message that women could use as a tool of war.
The suffering of women and girls in Sudan is not just an impact of conflict. It is an intended strategy, one that destroys not only individuals but entire communities. Their pain does not end when the violence stops. It continues in their memories, their families, and their futures.
The silence of the global community is silent permission to war criminals that they grant bodies used as strategies in war. These women not only need sympathy but also need voice, protection, justice, and support to recover, stand, and become a voice of the vulnerable. If human dignity matters and basic human rights to have the right of protection, justice, and support and international law are equally applicable, then silence is not an option.
