Broken lives, resilient souls: the costs of conflict for Sudanese women

The report, published by the UN Human Rights Council on October 23, states that more than 10.7 million people have been displaced and 25.6 million Sudanese are at risk of starvation as a result of the conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Response Forces (RSF). Another issue highlighted in the report is the devastating impact of the conflict in Sudan on women. As both the report and many journalists have recently noted, the conflict in Sudan is also waged through women’s bodies. Sudanese women are subjected to severe sexual violence by both SAF and RSF forces and even by workers from some non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who go to the region to provide aid. In particular, many displaced women are forced to leave their families behind and take refuge in refugee camps, subjected to sexual abuse and harassment. As a result, this happened recently reported in the press that many women have committed suicide in the conflict in Sudan.

Sudanese women are not only at risk of rape and harassment during conflicts. Women who are raped are usually killed by male relatives to “cleanse the shame.” Those who are not killed face intense psychological and sociological pressure. Many women who are raped as a ‘war tactic’ and become pregnant as a result, try to survive for themselves and their children under difficult circumstances.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) currently supports 49 centers across the country to intervene and prevent rising sexual violence against women in Sudan. On the other hand, more than 1,200 women have received sexual health consultations at health centers in the region, with the help of the UN and countries such as Canada, Sweden, Britain and the US. However, despite all these efforts, Sudanese women continue to be harmed by the cycle of violence the country has entered.

Terrorized women of Africa

The problematic situation that Sudanese women have been facing over the past eighteen months is actually faced by women in many African countries that have been struggling with civil war, conflict and terrorism for years. The terrorist organization, for example Boko Haramwhich has been operating in northeastern Nigeria and surrounding countries since 2002, has had a very negative impact on women. During Boko Haram’s activities, thousands of women and girls have been kidnapped, forced to marry militants or made into sex slaves. The kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls by Boko Haram in Chibok in 2014 is one of the most iconic examples of women being targeted by the organization. In fact, the kidnapping was so high on the international agenda that the #BringBackOurGirls campaign was launched, supported by then US President Barack Obama and his wife. Although some girls have been rescued over time in exchange for Boko Haram fighters in prison, more than a hundred are still missing. It is believed the missing girls were forced to marry Boko Haram terrorists in the Sambisa Forest or sold as sex slaves.

In the terror and conflict environment in Africa, women are not only victims of sexual violence. Women on the continent are also used by terrorist and criminal organizations for operational purposes. Although women, who are often forcibly recruited into organizations, are often the weakest links in the organizational structure, they can usually play a crucial role in achieving strategic objectives.

In recent years, terrorist organizations have increasingly used women to carry out attacks and gather intelligence because they are less likely to arouse suspicion, pass through checkpoints more easily, or conceal weapons and bombs more easily because of the way they dress. In Nigeria, for example, a female Boko Haram suicide bomber attacked a crowd watching a football match in Borno state in June 2019, killing nearly 30 people. In July 2024, another female Boko Haram suicide bomber infiltrated a wedding party in Gwoza, killing 32 people.

Socio-economic outcomes

In addition, increasing insecurity caused by civil wars and terrorism in Africa has forced millions of women to leave their homes. Today, Africa has approximately 30 million internally displaced persons and refugees. This represents almost a third of all internally displaced people in the world. Most displaced people live in camps in countries with serious security problems, such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Central African Republic, South Sudan and Nigeria. Many women living in these camps face inadequate health care, lack of access to reproductive health care, and the risk of sexual abuse.

Women living in the shadow of conflict and terror in Africa lose their economic freedom due to security concerns and bear the burden of supporting their families. In societies where men are killed or involved in military combat, economic and social responsibilities fall on women. Women are typically involved in agriculture and livestock farming to ensure the survival of war-torn communities. However, work in these sectors is usually carried out under harsh conditions due to a lack of infrastructure and safety risks. For example, attacks by the terrorist organization Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria have disrupted economic activities such as agriculture and trade. In the absence of kidnapped men and youth who have joined the organization, women have been forced into farming or small-scale trading under threat of attack by the organization to support their families. However, these women’s economic opportunities are typically limited in areas controlled by the organization, further perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

The impact of ongoing terrorism and civil conflict on women in Africa reveals a deep link between gender inequality and humanitarian crises caused by conflict. From Sudan to Nigeria, Somalia to the Central African Republic, women are targets of violence, not only physical, but also psychological and social. In particular, the use of rape as a war tactic deeply unsettles not only women’s bodies, but also the fabric of communities. The sexual violence, abuse and socio-economic disadvantage that women face have lasting impacts on family structures, cultural ties and local communities across the continent.

Despite this tragedy, women often bear the burden of families and communities struggling with crises. It is imperative that efforts to strengthen the social and economic role of women in conflict zones are made a top priority for humanitarian efforts. The establishment of health and support centers by the UN and other actors in Sudan to prevent sexual violence against women is an important first step. However, it is clear that broader international cooperation is needed to ensure the sustainability of such steps and protect women’s rights. Alleviating the suffering of women and restoring human dignity in conflict situations will be an important step towards global peace and security.