Two new reports, one by UN Women and another by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan, highlight the severe and disproportionate impact of Sudan’s ongoing conflict on women and girls.

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied groups have engaged in widespread sexual violence against civilians, primarily women and girls, including rape and abduction of women as sex slaves, according to the UN. The victims, ranging from eight to 75 years old, were targeted primarily by RSF troops and associated Arab militias.

Since the fighting between military factions began in April 2023, more than 10 million people have been displaced, leading to the worst displacement crisis in the world.

The Independent International Fact-Finding Mission reports widespread sexual violence committed by the RSF, including gang rapes, abductions, and detaining victims in conditions that amount to sexual slavery. The report says these acts likely amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

On Wednesday, News Central TV reported that over 130 Sudanese women chose to commit mass suicide to escape the threat of rape by the RSF militia.

The UN Women report reveals that gender-based violence services have seen a 100% increase in demand, with many incidents going unreported due to fear of stigma and a lack of support services. UN Women estimates that 1.63 million women of reproductive age lack access to essential healthcare, over 160,000 are pregnant, and 54,000 childbirths are expected in the next three months. The lack of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene also disproportionately affects women, with 80% of displaced women unable to access clean water safely.

More than 2.5 million school-aged girls have been forced out of school, increasing the risk of child marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM), practices that become more common during times of instability.

“Sudan is a country where women’s bodies have become the battlefield,” Hala Al-Karib, regional director for of the Strategic Initiative for Women (SIHA) in the Horn of Africa, wrote in her op-ed for More to Her Story. “You would not believe the stories [my colleagues and I] have documented.”

Both reports call for urgent international action. UN Women and the Fact-Finding Mission recommend an immediate ceasefire, better delivery of humanitarian aid, and more support for women and girls. They also stress the need for stronger protection against sexual violence and for ensuring that women are involved in peace negotiations.

To address these violations, the Fact-Finding Mission has made a number of urgent recommendations, including:

1. Immediate and sustainable ceasefire to stop the violence.

2. Delivery of humanitarian assistance to those affected, particularly survivors of sexual violence.

3. Deployment of an independent and impartial force to protect civilians.

4. Expansion of the arms embargo imposed in Darfur in 2004 to cover the whole of Sudan.

5. Increased support for refugees and host communities affected by the conflict.

6. Ending sexual violence and ensuring that women and youth meaningfully participate in peace negotiations.

7. Protecting children from recruitment and exploitation in the conflict.

8. Implementing transitional justice, based on inclusive dialogue and genuine consultations with affected communities.

9. Extending the International Criminal Court’s (ICC) jurisdiction to cover all of Sudan, ensuring cooperation, including surrendering individuals indicted by the court, such as former President Omar Al-Bashir.

10. Establishing a separate international judicial mechanism to work alongside the ICC, along with a truth commission and a dedicated office for victim support and reparations.