Sudanese women’s groups demand global protection and justice for victims
February 25, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudanese women’s groups on Wednesday called for international funding to protect women, support victims of violence, and provide food for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
In a memorandum addressed to regional and international organizations, the groups also demanded that crimes committed during the conflict be referred to international justice.
The World Health Organization reported on Feb. 4 that 8.1 million women and girls of reproductive age require urgent health services. This figure includes more than 803,000 pregnant women, with approximately 1.1 million births expected throughout 2026.
The Women’s Union and 43 other organizations demanded that international funding be directed toward medical and psychological support for victims.
The groups also called for the establishment of safe houses and support for the economic reintegration of affected women.
The memorandum sought funding for food and health services for 4 million women, including victims of violence and those nursing or pregnant.
It further urged international pressure on the government to provide free healthcare for women in public centres and hospitals.
The groups demanded the activation of international accountability mechanisms, support for field investigations, and the collection of evidence for legal proceedings.
They called for the formal recognition that the ongoing events in Sudan constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The organizations stressed the need for political, diplomatic, and economic pressure to force an immediate ceasefire and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid.
They also called for targeted sanctions against those responsible for sexual violence, starvation, and forced displacement.
Since the outbreak of war in April 2023, the memorandum stated that women have been subjected to a widespread and systematic pattern of gross violations of international law.
These violations include murder, rape, sexual slavery, kidnapping, forced marriage, and sexual torture.
The groups emphasized that these acts are classified as war crimes under the Geneva Conventions and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute.
Field reports show a consistent pattern of organized violence where women’s bodies are used as a means of societal control, the memorandum added.
These crimes coincide with a humanitarian disaster where women bear the heaviest burden, often supporting entire families without resources or shelter.
The memorandum called for placing women’s issues at the centre of any future political transition project.
It further requested that March 8 be recognized as a day of solidarity with Sudanese women to mobilize global pressure and end impunity.
March 8 is International Women’s Day, an annual occasion to honor the achievements of women and highlight the struggle for gender equality.