The United Nations on Thursday condemned the “alarming levels” of sexual violence amid Sudan’s devastating conflict, calling for an end to these atrocities as the war enters its third year.
Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict, the acting UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Christine Hambrouck, stated that reports of rape, sexual slavery, and the abduction of women and girls continue to emerge at a horrifying rate.
“Three years into a devastating conflict, reports of conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan continue to rise at alarming levels,” Hambrouck said in a statement from Port Sudan.
“Women and girls have been disproportionately affected… but men and boys have also been subjected to sexual violence, often in silence and with little attention to their needs,” she added.
Hambrouck’s statement praised the “extraordinary courage” of survivors who have broken the silence despite fear and stigma, and she commended Sudanese women-led organizations for providing critical support under extremely risky conditions.
“Survivors of violence are calling for compassion-based support, to be heard without judgment, and for meaningful action that acknowledges their suffering and restores their dignity,” she said.
“This day serves as a powerful reminder: we cannot allow sexual violence to be normalized, ignored, or downplayed,” Hambrouck stressed, urging accountability for perpetrators and continued collaboration across all sectors of society.
