Abducted, Chained In Slave-like Conditions: Plight of Sudan’s Women

Women in Sudan, a country in Northeast Africa, have been suffering in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Darfur, a region of western Sudan. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern over reports of women being kidnapped and tortured.

In the face of escalating violence in Sudan, sexual violence against women have increased. Various cases of sexual violence have been reported, with the culprits often being identified as members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Humanitarian crisis in Sudan has affected the lives of women. 

The United Nations published a report titled, “Sudan: Women and girls abducted, held ‘in slave-like conditions’ in Darfur,” to highlight the plight of forgotten women in Sudan. 

Women abducted, chained, held in slave-like conditions

Survivors, witnesses and other sources told the United Nations that various women and girls were kidnapped in chains on pick-up trucks and in cars.

In a huge blow to women rights, sexual and gender-based violence have taken an appalling toll on women and girls in Sudan. Risks of sexual exploitation and abuse have increased for women in the Darfur region. 

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights or the United Nations Human Rights Office said that at least 105 victims – 86 women, one man and 18 children – had suffered due to sexual violence. 

As of 2 November 2023, over 50 incidents of sexual violence linked to the hostilities were reported to the joint OHCHR-UNITAMS (United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission In Sudan) office in Sudan. 

Reportedly, 23 of the incidents involved rape, 26 incidents were of gang rape and three incidents were of attempted rape. At least 37 incidents of sexual violence were attributed to men in RSF uniforms. The remaining cases involved unidentified men.

UN Human Rights Spokesperson Liz Throssell said, “Some sources have reported seeing women and girls in chains on pick-up trucks and in cars.” Women and girls were abducted, chained and held in slave-like conditions in the Darfur region in Sudan. 

Liz Throssell called for the urgent release of the abducted women and girls. UNITAMS called on all warring parties to abide by international human rights and humanitarian laws and ensure the safety of women.