Omdurman, Gedaref women face rising abuse, economic exclusion, study finds

December 24, 2025 (OMDURMAN) – A recent study by Ahfad University reveals a lack of protection for tea sellers and domestic workers in Omdurman and Gedaref, citing deteriorating financial conditions and increased exposure to harassment.

The conflict that erupted on April 15, 2023, has stripped most of these women of their livelihoods.

Thousands of displaced women have been pushed into a “survival economy” within informal sectors, facing a combination of financial exclusion, a lack of legal protection, and escalating security risks.

The study, conducted in cooperation with local civil society organizations and seen by Sudan Tribune, documents how the war has become a primary driver pushing women into professions that lack basic safety standards.

Findings indicate that the war has forced approximately 57% of the surveyed women to become heads of households, with 83% responsible for supporting four or more people.

In Omdurman, 75% of tea sellers are displaced, mostly from South Kordofan. While 66% feel relatively safe in their immediate vicinity, 33% expressed deep concern regarding the proliferation of weapons and a decline in moral standards.

The research also revealed total financial exclusion for 100% of participants, as none possess a formal bank account. They rely instead on traditional community savings groups known as “Sandooq” and cash transactions due to extreme poverty and a lack of identification documents.

In the domestic work sector in Gedaref, oral contracts prevail for 95% of workers, leaving them vulnerable to wage nonpayment.

Spatial isolation within homes serves as the greatest barrier to reporting violations, with 68% of domestic workers fearing retaliation through the loss of jobs and housing.

Risks vary by environment, as 55% of tea sellers face verbal harassment and bullying in public, while domestic workers face a greater threat of physical and sexual violence inside homes.

The study notes that the employer represents the primary source of danger for 35% of these workers.

Data shows a sharp trust gap in official institutions, with only 8% of women trusting official reporting mechanisms. Many remain silent for fear of scandal or heavy-handed authorities.

Women in these sectors work between 10 and 14 hours a day, a condition researchers described as “time poverty” that deprives them of education or skill development.

Furthermore, 83% of households lack health insurance, making the cost of medicine an unbearable burden for 58% of participants.

The war has left deep psychological scars, with 58% of women reporting physical injuries or severe psychological distress.

With the collapse of the rule of law, involving male relatives in disputes is viewed as a high-risk strategy that could lead to lethal violence, prompting many women to internalize trauma to avoid further conflict.

Economically, the monthly income of most tea sellers ranges from 301,000 to 600,000 Sudanese pounds, while basic living costs can reach 1 million Sudanese pounds.

This has forced women to use mobile phone credit as currency or send cash via trusted individuals across dangerous conflict zones.

Legally, a fear of institutionalization persists among domestic workers, who worry that organizing might be misinterpreted as political bias toward parties in the conflict.

This is compounded by legal illiteracy, as 100% of domestic workers and 83% of tea sellers lack knowledge of labour laws.

The next generation faces a stifling educational crisis, as high costs and schools’ refusal to accept instalment payments hinder child enrollment.

With 58% of these mothers having not progressed beyond primary education, they realize that the absence of formal schooling means their children will likely remain in the same cycle of informal labour.

The study outlines a roadmap for urgent intervention, including the establishment of a rapid-response fund for domestic workers and the appointment of non-police community liaisons for tea sellers.

It also calls for digital empowerment through mobile-based financial literacy programs to break the barrier of economic exclusion.

Furthermore, the recommendations emphasize the inclusion of worker dignity clauses in agreements and addressing stereotypes that weaken women’s confidence.

The report concludes that a transformative approach is required, beginning with building the capacity of civil society organizations to protect women and children from the informal economy.

Economic Gap: Monthly Income vs. Cost of Living