UN Women: The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is devastating for women

A young woman walks through the town of Kadugli, South Kordofan, Sudan

The report notes that the number of cases of gender-based violence in Sudan has doubled since the start of the crisis, affecting 6.7 million women and girls by December 2023. Although men and boys also experience gender-based violence, the vast majority of victims are women and girls. Continuing violence in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan has led to high rates of sexual violence, exploitation and abuse, and the security situation for women has become increasingly critical.

Multiple crises

Sudan is currently facing unprecedented food insecurity, with 64 per cent of female-headed households facing food shortages in 10 states, compared to 48 per cent of male-headed households. In addition, 1.63 million women of childbearing age do not have access to essential health care, including more than 160,000 pregnancies, and 54,000 babies are expected to be born in the next three months.

Sudanese women and girls are also severely affected by the lack of safe, accessible and affordable water and sanitation. At least 80 per cent of internally displaced women do not have access to clean water. In addition, more than 2.5 million girls, or 74 per cent of school-age girls, are out of school, increasing their risk of harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

UN Women calls for immediate action

Hodan Addou, Acting Regional Director of UN Women's Office for Eastern and Southern Africa, said that Sudanese women and girls are facing unimaginable challenges and that the international community must come together to support Sudanese women and ensure they have the resources and protection they need to survive and rebuild their lives.

UN Women is working closely with women-led organizations to support community-based initiatives to build resilience and ensure that men, women and children affected by the crisis have access to humanitarian services. UN Women urged the international community, donors and humanitarian partners to prioritize the protection and empowerment of Sudanese women and girls and to increase funding for local women-led organizations.

UN Women said it stood firmly with the Sudanese people and called on all parties to immediately cease fire, return to the negotiating table and engage in peace talks.