The “World’s Worst Humanitarian Crisis” Is Even Worse for Women: Sudan’s War on ItsMothers and Daughters
By: Aarohi Hemmady
In the midst of the Sudanese civil war, millions have been forced from their homes and thousands more remain caught in the crossfire. However, due to scarcity of food supplies, limited access to healthcare, exclusion from peace talks, and an alarming rise in gender-based violence, women and children are bearing the brunt of what has been labeled “the world’s worst humanitarian crisis”. The United Nations and various women-led Sudanese organizations are working tirelessly to tackle this plight. Yet, a lack of international support and funding continues to worsen the issue. The international community must come together to stand with the women and children of Sudan.
Confirmed famine in North Darfur as well as in other areas leaves female-led households malnourished: 64% experiencing food insecurity compared to 48% of male-led households. Due to existing social norms, women and girls often eat least and last, further jeopardizing their health and overall well-being. Even worse, nearly five million pregnant women and children have been labeled “acutely malnourished”.
With a health system in collapse, pregnant women, new mothers, and newborn children have little to no access to medical attention and care. Close to 80% of hospitals in conflict-affected areas are no longer operating. As a result, maternal deaths are surging, and women and girls lack menstrual health supplies and mental health support.
According to the UN, there has been a 288% rise in need for gender-based violence services in the last 12 months in Sudan. In less than two years, the number of people at risk for gender-based violence has tripled. Moreover, with the fall of women-led businesses, women now rely on humanitarian aid, making them more prone to sexual exploitation. It is critical that women led initiatives that provide counseling and support for these survivors are financially supported. International governments must work to hold perpetrators of this sexual violence accountable.
In a crisis directly targeting women, women are at the forefront of the solution. Organizations such as Zenab for Women in Development are distributing food and hygiene kits to families in need and providing medicine for pregnant women. The Sudan Family Planning Association is providing sexual and reproductive health services through mobile clinics, sexual-based trauma therapies to women who are victims of gender-based violence, and financial assistance to female-led households.
Despite being on the front lines, Sudanese women have been systematically excluded from peace and diplomatic talks- including regional and international peace negotiations previously held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. This exclusion directly undermines the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda: women’s involvement is vital to achieving lasting peace. Additionally, with a lack of women in peace talks, issues such as access to healthcare and sexual violence are sidelined. The lack of health resources and justice for survivors not only deepens the humanitarian crisis but weakens long-term regional stability. Therefore, the inclusion ofSudanese women to take part in future decision making is essential to rebuilding a peaceful Sudan.
The Sudan Humanitarian Response Fund remains critically underfunded by the international community with only 10% of the required funds secured so far. It is more important than ever for to uplift, promote, and donate to these women-led Sudanese organizations. The world can no longer stand by as conflict continues to disproportionately impact women. Women led organizations, the true heroes of this conflict, must be included in peace and response efforts. Ignoring their contributions means worsening the position of women and children in Sudan.