Rédaction Africa Links 24 with SudanTribune
Published on 2024-04-08 01:51:29
On April 7, 2024, Salimi Ishaq, the director of the Government of Sudan’s Combating Violence against Women Unit (CVAW), brought attention to a concerning trend of increasing sexual violence cases in the capital city of Khartoum. According to Ishaq, there has been a recent surge in reported rape cases across Khartoum State, with a total of 157 documented incidents.
Despite these numbers, accurately assessing the full extent of the problem poses a challenge. Human rights organizations have reported conflicting figures due to various factors. One major issue is the limited access to healthcare, as 80% of healthcare facilities in Sudan are closed, leading to many cases likely going unreported. Additionally, societal stigma plays a role, as conservative social norms in Sudan often prompt victims to conceal incidents of sexual violence due to the perceived association with honor.
Ishaq specifically pointed out the lack of documented cases from Al-Jazira State, attributing it to the collapsed healthcare system despite anecdotal evidence of violations. She emphasized the importance of medical evidence in verifying cases of rape, highlighting the necessity for a functioning healthcare system to address and document such incidents.
The “Together Against Rape and Sexual Violence” campaign revealed even more troubling statistics, documenting 266 conflict-related rapes, with a significant 43% occurring in Al-Jazirah – a region previously under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Khawatim.
These findings are consistent with reports from March 10th by human rights and medical groups, which documented a total of 370 cases of rape since the conflict began. The RSF was identified as the primary perpetrator in a substantial number of these incidents, shedding light on the urgent need to address and prevent sexual violence in the region.
In conclusion, the rise in documented cases of sexual violence in Khartoum State is a troubling development that requires immediate attention and action. Efforts to address this issue must include ensuring access to healthcare services, challenging societal norms that contribute to underreporting, and holding perpetrators accountable for their actions. By working together to combat sexual violence, we can create a safer and more just society for all individuals in Sudan.
Read the original article on Sudan Tribune
