Sudan: Scourge of sexual violence amid ongoing conflict demands urgent response

Joint Statement by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, and Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, Joyce Msuya

After one year of hostilities in Sudan, we are appealing for more international engagement to combat sexual violence against women and girls in the country. These barbaric acts, which echo the horrors witnessed in Darfur two decades ago, must spur immediate action.

As members of the Security Council meet this week for the annual open debate on conflict-related sexual violence, we urge them to send an unequivocal message: Under international humanitarian law, civilians in Sudan must be protected and must never be subjected to acts of sexual violence, which constitutes war crimes.

Reports of sexual violence reveal the war’s disproportionate impact on women and girls. Allegations of rape, forced marriages, sexual slavery, and trafficking of women and girls – especially in Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan – continue to be recorded. Millions of civilians are especially at risk as they flee conflict areas in search of shelter, inside Sudan and in neighboring countries.

However, the true scale of this crisis remains unseen, a result of severe underreporting due to stigma, fear of reprisals, and a lack of confidence in national institutions.

Without increased political and financial support for the vital work of frontline responders – especially organizations led by women – access to life-saving services will only continue to shrink. Fully funding this year’s Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Sudan – currently only 10 percent funded – will help to support survivors, while bolstering the United Nations’ Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Multi-Partner Trust Fund is essential to strengthen the response.

Building on the solidarity demonstrated at last week’s International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan and its Neighbors in Paris, we must continue to shore up our support for the people of Sudan – critically by combating sexual violence in all its forms and ensuring that Sudanese frontline responders stay at the center of those efforts.

Note to the editors: You can access the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Sudan the Conflict-Related Sexual Violence Multi-Partner Trust Fund.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Office of the Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict:

Geraldine Boezio ([email protected])

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs:

Eri Kaneko ([email protected])