The RSF and GBV: Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

A week into the sixth month since the war between the RSF and the SAF erupted, human rights violations have reached a record high, especially Gender-Based Violence (GBV) against women and young girls. According to the Combating Violence Against Women (CVAW) unit’s Head, Mrs. Sulaima Ishaq, there have been more than 124 rape incidents since the war started; most occurred in the RSF territory.

Since April 15, there have been more than 151 reported cases of GBV, especially sexual violence that reached the stage of sexual slavery. Many agencies, including UN Women, UNFPA, CVAW, and other women’s rights organizations, have reported many cases of human trafficking and sexual slavery in which women and girls were forcibly taken to other places where they were forced to engage in sexual activities; some were held for weeks, and others were trafficked outside the country.

Khartoum, West Darfur, North Darfur, East Darfur, Middle Darfur, South Darfur, and the Greater Kordofan states have witnessed the most cases of GBV, with war-zone areas in these states reporting the most cases, especially in areas controlled by the RSF.

CVAW unit reported that growing security risks are the main barrier behind victims of GBV neither reporting nor being able to seek health services, confirming that the numbers of victims are far more from what is reported and announced, especially in IDP camps and war-zone areas with no network coverage.

Women-led, women’s rights and community-based organizations have mobilized and supported people and families fleeing war-zone areas, but the underfunding and security concerns limit their interventions and capacity.

This months-long war has driven the country’s overall nationwide crisis. Without a long-term ceasefire agreement, the situation will continue to worsen rapidly.