Press briefing by UN Women on the impact on women and girls of two years of relentless conflict in Sudan
By Sofia Calltorp, UN Women’s Chief of Humanitarian Action and Director of the Geneva Office, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
Almost two years ago, on April 15, the conflict in Sudan ignited a crisis now labeled the worst humanitarian emergency in the world for women and girls.
Since then, the toll on their lives, livelihoods, and dignity has intensified beyond measure, and women and girls are once again suffering the worst of the consequences.
Today, more than six million displaced Sudanese women and girls face daily threats to their safety and basic survival.
In just two years, the number of people at risk of gender-based violence, including sexual violence, has tripled to over 12 million.
These statistics, shocking as they are, only scratch the surface: many survivors of conflict-related sexual violence never report their experiences for fear of stigma and retaliation. The weaponization of sexual violence against women in Sudan must stop, and perpetrators must face justice.
As half of the country’s population already face hunger and the food security crisis increasingly worsens, women are especially vulnerable, often being the last to eat, and because of social norms around food distribution and their more limited financial resources and social support.
These numbers are not just statistics—they are stories of profound suffering and urgent need. That is why I will be travelling to Sudan in the coming days to hear from the Sudanese women who have displayed extraordinary resilience in these difficult moments.
They have stepped forward as frontline responders, peacebuilders, and advocates for their communities, despite being excluded from the initial peace negotiations. Amplifying women’s voices in every peace negotiation and in humanitarian decision-making spaces is an imperative for a just and lasting peace.
Over the past two years, UN Women has partnered with more than 60 women-led organizations to reach over 15,000 women in some of Sudan’s most affected areas — providing access to safe shelter, mental health care, and legal aid, while also gaining access to key spaces to have their voices heard in local and international arenas. Yet the needs are vast, and more funding is crucial.
As the conflict reaches its two-year mark, we renew our hope for its end to come, as well as the immediate cessation of all forms of gender-based violence, including sexual violence.
Sudan’s ongoing transition remains complex, but recent efforts by the Government to restore security in parts of the country—including Khartoum—demonstrate potential for progress. Moving forward, it is imperative to bolster these gains by safeguarding human rights and prioritizing the prevention of all forms of abuse, particularly against women and girls, in both return and IDP areas.
Sudanese women and girls deserve more than survival; they deserve the dignity, resources, and opportunities to rebuild their lives and their nation. When women are centered in recovery and peacebuilding, entire communities heal.
Thank you.
