Aya Ibrahim

Sudan – March 8th of each year marks International Women's Day, an occasion that Sudanese women seize to renew their demands and emphasize the need to address their issues, especially after the widespread harm they have suffered during the conflict. In conflict zones, particularly those under the control of the Rapid Support Forces, they have faced grave violations including killing, rape, and enforced disappearance.

Despite being one of the groups most affected by the conflict, Sudanese women have demonstrated a remarkable capacity for resilience and continued struggle for their rights and dignity.

Between Displacement and Responsibility

Journalist and social activist Salma Awad Fadil affirms that celebrating International Women's Day constitutes an important milestone to remind us of women's issues and the achievements they continue to make despite challenges. She stresses that women's presence is not tied to a single day; they are present and active at all times. However, the eighth of March obliges everyone to pause out of respect and appreciation for the women who strive and work in various positions, giving so much under extremely difficult circumstances.

She pointed out that there are fundamental issues concerning Sudanese women that require serious consideration and resolution, especially in light of the conflict the country has experienced, which has had harsh effects on women. She affirmed that women have largely shouldered the responsibility for their families and have proven their strength and ability to face pressures despite life being disrupted for long periods.

She noted that women's role was pivotal in helping their families navigate through crises, both inside and outside Sudan, stemming from their innate sense of responsibility.

Initiatives to Support Women and Restore Their Rights

Since the outbreak of conflict in their country, the suffering of Sudanese women has continued to worsen day by day, starting from the journey of displacement and the search for safe areas, passing through their exposure to widespread violations, in addition to the difficulty of obtaining basic healthcare and food.

Previous UN reports have shown that a large percentage of pregnant women suffer from a lack of basic health services, leading to increased mortality rates among them. International reports have also documented widespread patterns of sexual violence committed against women and girls ranging in age from seven to seventy years old, including gang rape, torture, and humiliation during the siege of El Fasher in North Darfur, western Sudan, by the Rapid Support Forces. This is in addition to an unprecedented doubling of gender-based violence, with a rise in the number of those exposed to it, most of whom are women and girls.

For her part, the head of the Sudanese Women's Union in the Northern State, Basmat Sharif, indicated that celebrating International Women's Day is an opportunity for women to reclaim the memory of the homeland, their love for it, and their capacity for dedication and creativity through several axes of interest to pioneering women activists in the state.

She said that over the past years, women have been subjected to many violations, but on the other hand, they have been a genuine partner in achieving victories and will be supportive of the reconstruction and development roadmap.

Basmat Sharif spoke about an initiative being prepared by the Sudanese Women's Union, which involves organizing a roundtable to discuss ways to enhance legal and social protection networks for women, ensuring the restoration of their dignity after the continuous violations they have endured.

The plans also include working to develop women's capacities in various fields, through partnerships with the Red Crescent to train one thousand women in the first phase on first aid skills, in addition to coordinating with the Ministry of Health to activate health protection and care programs targeting women.

The Resilience of Sudanese Women

Journalist Hejabiya Mohamed Saeed says that Sudanese women have stood firm in the face of trials just as "mountains stand firm against the winds." The stormy conditions have been unable to shake their steadfastness. They are the ones who raise, teach, and shape generations; they are the source of thought and creativity.

She points out that women, despite the harsh difficulties they faced during the conflict, remained patient and strong, calling on women to continue their resilience and strength, directing an emotional message to them: "You are a nation in yourself; without you, life is incomplete.