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8/10/2024
A Sudanese student drinks and washes her face at a new water fountain in a primary school for girls
© UN Photo

The ongoing conflict in Sudan severely impacts women and girls

Women and girls in Sudan are victims of the ongoing civil conflict between rival military factions with 5.8 million displaced since the fighting began in April of 2023. 

According to UN Women, cases of abuse, sexual violence and exploitation have surged, particularly in the cities of Khartoum, Darfur and Kordofan. During conflit times, a lot of incidents go unreported due to the stigma and the lack of support from the state and international community. Female headed households are disproportionately affected by food deficiency with 1.63 million women of reproductive age, lacking essential healthcare. The shortage of clean water, sanitation and hygiene services is also affecting 80% of displaced women.

In Sudan, the education crisis is deepening as 2.5 million school aged girls are out of school, increasing the risk of child marriage and female genital mutilation. UN Women is calling for urgent international support to fund women-led organizations , to ensure immediate access to food, water and provide safe sexual and reproductive health services.