Sudanese Women: Human Pillars Amid the War
Sudan Events – Agencies
In a displacement shelter in Port Sudan, a charity kitchen run by Awadia Koko, a women’s rights advocate, has become a lifeline for thousands of Sudanese struggling to survive amid the country’s prolonged civil war.
“This charitable kitchen has supported thousands and provided food for those in need,” said the 58-year-old Koko, who is also the founder of the Sudanese women’s organization “All Professions.”
“Hundreds of female volunteers join us daily to feed around 6,000 people,” she added.
“Although the conflict has deeply affected Sudanese women, they have not surrendered. Instead, they have become powerful symbols of resilience and perseverance.”
Like Koko, many Sudanese women have emerged amid the chaos—stepping up to help their fellow citizens torn apart by war, becoming beacons of hope amid the darkness.
One such example is Alia El-Haj, a young doctor working at Al-Nau Hospital in northern Omdurman, the only hospital still operating in the city since the war broke out.
On April 15, 2023, as fierce clashes erupted in Khartoum, El-Haj received an urgent call to volunteer.
“Gunfire was raining down in front of homes, and the streets were completely deserted. It was terrifying. My family strongly opposed the idea, but I chose to answer the humanitarian call and managed to reach the hospital,” she told Xinhua News Agency.
She recalls a shift during which more than 60 wounded people arrived:
“I will never forget the bloody scene… There were only three doctors and four nurses on duty, but we managed to save most of the injured.”
She added: “We proved that women are not just statistics in the records of war victims. We showed what women can do—bring hope and rebuild lives from the ashes of war.”
El-Haj noted that many Sudanese women have suffered family separations, the loss of their homes and livelihoods, and the trauma of displacement. Nevertheless, many have risen not just as caregivers and activists, but as community organizers and frontline responders.
According to UN Women, Sudanese women are taking on leadership roles as aid workers, peace advocates, and relief coordinators. In a report published in April marking the second anniversary of the war, the agency said it had partnered with more than 60 women-led organizations to reach over 15,000 women in the country’s hardest-hit areas.
Sudanese activist Sadia Al-Rasheed, founder of the “Save El-Geneina” initiative, emphasized that Sudanese women-led initiatives have successfully provided support to displaced and abused women both inside and outside the country.
“Sudanese women’s organizations and initiatives have established communication channels with international and humanitarian agencies to mobilize support for women affected by the war,” Al-Rasheed told Xinhua. “Through these women-led efforts, we’ve been able to provide various forms of support to female victims, particularly in the Darfur region and refugee camps in Chad.”
Sudan has been witnessing a brutal conflict since April 2023. The war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and forced millions to flee their homes, either within the country or across its borders.
