Feminist voices rise in urgency to end Sudan’s war
December 6, 2023 (KHARTOUM) – With the ongoing military escalation in Sudan, feminist groups and individuals are intensifying their appeals for an immediate resolution to the conflict. Their collective call emphasizes the imperative need to halt hostilities and concentrate efforts on mitigating the economic and social adversities disproportionately impacting women and girls since the conflict erupted on April 15th.
During a recent symposium organized by the Sudanese Women’s Union, a cohort of feminist activists illuminated the hardships faced by displaced women residing in shelter centres and the profound repercussions of the war on their lives.
Displaced women encounter a myriad of challenges, including exposure to various forms of violence, economic deprivation, and a scarcity of basic necessities. Journalist Madiha Abdullah, in her presentation titled “Violence and Deprivation of Rights,” stressed the importance of the feminist movement prioritizing an end to the conflict and addressing the underlying causes of these injustices.
Abdallah highlighted how the conflict’s expansion has heightened the suffering of women, pushing many into informal economic activities such as selling food to make ends meet. This has resulted in the erosion of their economic stability and fundamental rights.
She also pointed to the alarming surge in violations against women, including harassment and beatings by security personnel and police. Abdallah underscored the state’s significant responsibility for the violence and violations women face, especially within the context of state violence and policies obstructing their right to life.
Furthermore, Abdallah emphasized the concept of “economic fragility,” characterizing it as the epitome of economic, structural, and social violence against women. She described dire conditions in shelter centres, particularly for pregnant and breastfeeding women lacking adequate support.
Abdallah drew attention to the lack of access to essential resources such as clean water and sanitation facilities, exacerbating the suffering of displaced women. She termed the situation as “psychological oppression,” resulting from the dire conditions, leading to emotional distress and coping mechanisms such as constant crying or isolation.
Sumaya Ali Ishaq, a member of the Executive Committee of the Sudanese Women’s Union, echoed these concerns, describing the situation of displaced women as “desperate” due to the spread of epidemics like dengue fever and cholera, coupled with the lack of a suitable environment for pregnant women and children.
Ishaq highlighted that women, far from being parties to the war, were the backbone of the revolution and should actively partake in decision-making processes within state institutions.
She called for enhanced protection and support for displaced women, acknowledging that some assistance provided by volunteer organizations remains insufficient.
Aisha Khalil, another participant in the symposium, echoed the urgent need for women to unite and amplify their voices to end the war, which has resulted in widespread displacement and homelessness. She called for all factions to unite in forming a pressure group to bring the conflict to an end.
Khalil also shed light on the plight of displaced women hosted by families, who often lack access to support services and face discrimination and hostility from host communities.
Ihsan Abdel Aziz, representing the Women Against Injustice Campaign, called for more significant documentation of violations against women and the dissemination of accurate data to raise international awareness. She revealed that violations have reached an alarming level of slavery, with cases of women being kidnapped and sold for the first time in Sudan’s history.
Inaam Haroun, another symposium participant, emphasized the exploitation and sexual violence that women are experiencing due to their economic poverty.
The symposium concluded with a renewed call for strengthening the women’s front against the war, advocating for intensified fieldwork, escalating public action to stop the conflict, and planning for a vision for the post-war era.
(ST)