Relief organizations have revealed that the conflict between armed factions in Sudan has led to an increase in cases of rape of women and girls, some as young as 12 years old, and their abduction. The "Save the Children" organization stated in a press release on Friday that armed fighters are sexually assaulting adolescent girls and raping them in "alarming numbers," while the United Nations reported a "notable increase" in gender-based violence.
While dozens of rape cases have been confirmed as a result of the conflict, the Sudanese government's Violence Against Women Unit estimates that the numbers may represent only two percent of the total. Arif Nour, the director of Save the Children in Sudan, stated, "We know that official numbers are just the tip of the iceberg. Girls as young as 12 are being targeted because of their gender, ethnicity, or vulnerability."
Nour added that some parents are marrying off their daughters at a young age in an attempt to protect them from assaults. Reports also indicate that girls are being held for days while being sexually abused, and there have been cases of gang rape involving women and girls.
UN agencies issued a joint statement this week warning that health care providers, social workers, counselors, and community protection networks inside Sudan have reported a significant increase in gender-based violence as hostilities continue across the country. The Rapid Support Forces did not directly respond to allegations of sexual violence committed by their fighters but stated that those who carry out such violations will be held accountable for their actions.
United Nations estimates indicate that 4.2 million people are at risk of gender-based violence, up from three million before the outbreak of the conflict. Sudan has a population of 49 million. The UN noted that the risk greatly increases when women and girls are seeking safe places. More than 2.9 million people have been displaced from their homes due to the war, and around 700,000 of them have fled to neighboring countries. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees reported that some women arrive having been raped and are pregnant as a result.
