For thousands of women and girls across Sudan, the road to safety has turn into a corridor of terror. In the conflict-torn region of Darfur, sexual violence is not a byproduct of the chaos but a calculated strategy, with survivors describing a systematic campaign of rape and torture designed to break communities.
A recent report from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reveals the staggering scale of this crisis. Between January 2024 and November 2024, the organization treated 3,396 survivors of sexual violence in its supported facilities across North and South Darfur. Although, medical personnel warn that these figures represent only the “peak of the iceberg,” as the vast majority of assaults go unreported due to social stigma, fear of retaliation and the collapse of healthcare infrastructure.
The data underscores a targeted pattern of aggression: women and girls accounted for 97 percent of the documented cases treated by MSF. Myriam Laroussi, MSF’s emergency coordinator, stated that the violence is not incidental, asserting that women’s bodies are being used as part of the war. “We are now calling [on] all the warring parties to just stop. Stop using women’s bodies to fight this war,” Laroussi said.
A systematic campaign of terror in Darfur
The testimonies emerging from Darfur describe a landscape of extreme brutality. Survivors have reported gang rapes and assaults at gunpoint, often occurring while they were fleeing attacks or attempting to reach humanitarian hubs. The violence is frequently coupled with psychological torture, where women are forced to witness the execution of male relatives before being assaulted themselves.
Volker Turk, the United Nations human rights chief, has echoed these warnings after meeting with survivors. Turk described the individuals he encountered as some of the most traumatized people he had ever seen, citing a specific instance of gang rape in El Fasher where men were killed in front of the victims. “Sexual violence is used as a weapon of warfare,” Turk said. “It’s a war crime, and it’s a crime against humanity.”
The crisis is compounded by the extreme difficulty of accessing emergency care. Health workers emphasize a critical 72-hour window following an assault to provide essential treatment, including injury care, infection prevention, and urgent medical support. Yet, many survivors in Darfur must travel for days to reach facilities in towns like Tawila, often arriving long after this window has closed.
The barriers to reporting and recovery
Beyond the physical danger, survivors face a profound social struggle. In the conservative communities of Sudan, sexuality is often a taboo subject, and the stigma associated with sexual assault can lead to social ostracization. Gloria Endreo, an MSF midwife, noted that many women only feel safe enough to confide their experiences once they have reached a secure environment.
Endreo described encountering numerous survivors who recounted witnessing brutality, physical torture, and gang rapes while fleeing El Fasher. She noted that it requires “strong energy” for a woman to stand up and report what has happened to her given the cultural constraints of her community.
This silence is a primary reason why sexual violence as a weapon of war in Sudan remains underreported. The lack of safe reporting mechanisms means that the 3,396 cases treated by MSF are likely a small fraction of the actual number of victims.
A broader humanitarian collapse
The gender-based violence is part of a wider pattern of civilian targeting. The UN human rights office has reported a sharp intensification of drone warfare, stating that more than 500 civilians were killed in drone strikes between January and March of this year. These attacks have frequently hit “safe” zones, including schools, markets, and health structures.
The scale of displacement has reached catastrophic levels. Since the conflict erupted on April 15, 2023—sparked by a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—up to 14 million people have been displaced. Many have been forced to flee their homes multiple times as the fighting spread from Khartoum into the Darfur region.
The following table outlines the key figures associated with the current crisis in Darfur and the wider conflict:
| Metric | Verified Figure/Detail | Context/Source |
|---|---|---|
| MSF Sexual Violence Cases | 3,396 treated | North & South Darfur (Jan-Nov 2024) |
| Total Displaced | Up to 14 million | Since April 2023 outbreak |
| Drone Casualty Toll | 500+ civilians | January to March 2024 |
| Victim Demographics | 97% women and girls | MSF documented cases |
International legal scrutiny
The international community has begun to document these atrocities for future prosecution. In January, the International Criminal Court (ICC) informed the UN Security Council that the commission of sexual violence in Darfur is “undeniable.” The ICC is currently examining evidence to determine the chain of command responsible for these war crimes.
Legal experts and humanitarian coordinators argue that without immediate intervention and the establishment of secure humanitarian corridors, the cycle of violence will continue. The focus remains on providing urgent medical care and psychological support to survivors who are currently navigating a landscape of total institutional collapse.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal or medical advice.
Support Resources: If you or someone you know has been impacted by sexual assault, help is available. In Australia, call 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, always contact your local emergency services.
The next critical checkpoint for accountability will be the upcoming updates from the ICC to the UN Security Council, where investigators are expected to present further findings on the systemic nature of the violence in Darfur. We will continue to monitor these filings as they emerge.
We invite you to share this story to bring visibility to the crisis in Sudan. Please exit your thoughts or questions in the comments below.
