Sudan: How Can Justice Mechanisms Deliver Justice for Women?

Sudan Media Forum – Sabah Mohamed Adam

Khartoum, 27 April 2026 (Alalaq Press Services Center) - As Sudan’s war enters its fourth year, since its outbreak on 15 April 2023, one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises continues to deepen, with women and girls bearing the brunt of its impact.
Human rights organizations have documented multiple cases of sexual violence, including gang rape, sexual slavery, and abduction. Reports indicate that some victims are as young as 12 years old.
In reality, conflict-related violence is no longer a byproduct of war; it has evolved into a systematic pattern targeting women’s bodies as part of the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces—a situation observers describe as a “war on women.”
This systematic nature of violence is underscored by remarks from Tondrai Chikohwa, Senior Adviser at the Office of the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, who noted that “the vast scale of sexual violence in Sudan is not new, but has been a feature of the conflict for more than two decades,” pointing to the deep-rooted use of such violations as tools of political violence.
Despite recurring UN and human rights reports, the international response remains far below the scale of the catastrophe, exacerbating victims’ suffering and entrenching a climate of impunity. In this context, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, has warned of a “tragic repetition of violations” amid the international community’s failure to take decisive action against the warring parties.

Darfur at the Heart of Escalation
The Darfur region, particularly El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur State, has witnessed unprecedented escalation in recent months, becoming a focal point of military operations and widespread violations. As fighting spreads to other states such as Blue Nile and North Kordofan, waves of mass displacement have intensified, accompanied by reports of systematic targeting of women and girls.
Following field visits to displacement areas, UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher relayed “horrifying” testimonies about the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war, noting that chronic underfunding is undermining response efforts and limiting critical support for survivors.

A Compounded Humanitarian Crisis
These violations have coincided with massive displacement, with hundreds of thousands fleeing within short periods, while millions remain in prolonged displacement both داخل Sudan and abroad. Recent estimates indicate that millions of children face acute food insecurity, while women—especially pregnant women—suffer from an almost total lack of essential healthcare services.
In displacement camps and shelters, women endure harsh conditions, including lack of privacy and protection, exposing them to further risks—even in areas considered relatively “safe.”

Sexual Violence as a Tool of Terror
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have documented widespread sexual violence, including gang rape, sexual slavery, and abduction, with reports again indicating that some victims are as young as 12.
In a stark assessment, the UN Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict described the situation as an “epidemic of sexual violence,” stressing that such crimes are deliberately used to dismantle and terrorize communities.
A report issued in April 2026 by the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies highlighted an alarming escalation in these violations, noting that the bodies of women and girls have become direct battlegrounds. The report emphasized that these crimes are not random but are used as tools of punishment and forced displacement, in a context marked by near-total absence of basic services, including medical care, psychological support, and access to justice.
Children, too, are not spared. Many have experienced displacement and deep psychological trauma, while some have been forcibly recruited into armed groups, threatening an entire generation that should have contributed to rebuilding the country.

Civilian Resilience and Women-Led Initiatives
Despite the scale of the crisis, civilians—especially women—are not merely passive victims. Community initiatives led by resistance committees and women’s groups have emerged, organizing food distribution, running community kitchens and field clinics, and documenting violations.
These initiatives operate in highly dangerous conditions, with activists facing direct threats. Nevertheless, they continue to fill critical gaps in humanitarian response amid the decline of state institutions and limited international intervention.

Impunity: The Root of the Crisis
The current surge in violence is tied to a long history of impunity dating back to the Darfur conflict in 2003, when perpetrators of serious crimes—including sexual violence—were not held accountable.
This failure to achieve transitional justice has entrenched a culture of impunity and encouraged the repetition of violations. Experts stress that addressing justice—particularly gender-based violence—must be central to any future peace process to ensure sustainable stability.
They also emphasize the need to include women in peace processes and decision-making—not only as victims but as key actors capable of contributing comprehensive visions for peacebuilding.

“Feminist Justice”: Breaking the Silence
In response, a campaign titled “Feminist Justice” has been launched by the women’s advocacy group “No to Women’s Oppression,” in partnership with civil society and human rights organizations. The initiative aims to highlight the situation of women in Sudan, document violations, and break the silence imposed on survivors.
The six-month campaign seeks to raise awareness of rights, push for effective accountability mechanisms, and build a broad network of solidarity at local, regional, and international levels. It also calls for pressure on decision-makers to take urgent measures ensuring protection and justice.
In its launch statement on 6 April 2026, the campaign stressed that what Sudanese women are experiencing is not merely a passing humanitarian crisis but an urgent justice issue affecting the country’s present and future. It emphasized that women must not be treated as a vulnerable group, but as rights-holders entitled to protection, justice, and recovery, while strengthening their participation and leadership in response efforts. The statement also rejected any settlements or humanitarian approaches that bypass women’s rights.

As the war continues, feminist justice remains an urgent demand—not only to redress victims, but to break cycles of violence and build a peace that neither excludes women nor denies them their right to justice.

• The Sudan Media Forum and its member organizations publish this report, prepared by the Alalaq Press Services Center, to shed light on one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises unfolding in Sudan, where women and girls have been among the most affected since the outbreak of war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces.