Zeinab, a woman fleeing the war in Sudan’s capital in search of safety, had a traumatic experience when she was raped by a paramilitary fighter. Together with her sister and other women, they were arrested at a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) checkpoint and taken to a warehouse, where they were sexually abused. This case is not isolated, as dozens of women have reported similar attacks since the war began in Sudan.
The sexual abuses have taken place in different locations, such as homes and roads, and are attributed to both the army and the FAR. The war in Sudan has left more than 1,800 dead and more than 1.5 million displaced, and the horrors of the conflict have been compounded by a wave of sexual violence.
Women and girls are abducted and taken to FAR-controlled locations, where they are repeatedly raped. Although several cases have been documented, they are believed to be only the tip of the iceberg, as many victims do not receive medical attention due to the destruction of hospitals.
Activists and doctors are making efforts to document each attack to ensure that there is no impunity. However, the situation is dangerous for them, as they run the risk of being arrested or accused of collaborating with any faction.
Zeinab hopes that justice will be done for what happened to her, but she is resigned to the impunity that prevails in these cases. Despite the efforts of human rights defenders, the lack of security and the constant threat make it difficult to protect women in Sudan.
This situation reflects the grave humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where women and girls are victims of sexual violence and perpetrators rarely face legal consequences. Urgent action is needed to ensure the safety and protection of women in the country and to bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes to justice.