The fact -finding mission on Sudan calls for speeding up work to support Sudanese women

The mission said in a statement today, Friday, that sexual violence in Sudan “is not accidental, but rather a systematic and widespread and used as a war weapon.” While most cases are attributed to the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias, they also documented similar cases committed by members of the Sudanese armed forces and their allies.

She said: “The survivors not only suffer from shock, but they are also unable to reach justice, medical care and psychological and social support, which deepens their suffering and erases their voices.”

The mission said that in the absence of appropriate support, women’s ability to withstand, and they are expedited to rebuild their lives and societies.

She also confirmed that she had received very disturbing reports, related to the forcibly marrying members of the Rapid Support Forces from girls who are not more than 12 years old, as parents who feel that they are forced to marry their daughters “to avoid the alternative fate of rape.”

The fact -finding mission indicated that the vast majority of internally displaced people and refugees are women and children, and many of them face sharp hunger, health care lack, and the constant threat of exploitation. She said that economic losses due to the conflict led to the marginalization of women, and their deprivation of financial independence and livelihoods.

Despite the contribution of Sudanese women in building peace, defending human rights and leading societies, they are “They actually excluded from participating in shaping the future of their country,” According to the mission statement. She stressed the need to recognize the primary role of women in building the future of Sudan. She said: “The leadership of women and their participation in negotiations, governance and human decisions are considered the basics of achieving peace and stability in Sudan.”

The fact -finding mission expressed its steadfast solidarity with Sudanese women and girls, and repeated its call to accelerate the work to put an end to the use of sexual violence, including child marriage, forced marriage, and the prosecution of these crimes, “whether they are committed by leaders or soldiers.” It also called for cooperation with the International Criminal Court and expanding its jurisdiction to include the entire lands of Sudan, in addition to establishing a separate international judicial mechanism that works alongside the court.

She stressed the necessity of providing humanitarian aid immediately and sustainable for displaced women and children, including food, medical care and safe shelter.

The mission called for enhancing mechanisms of preventing sexual violence, providing protection and ensuring survivors obtaining comprehensive support services, including medical and psychological consultations, and legal assistance. She stressed the importance of enhancing the economic and political empowerment of Sudanese women, and ensuring their full participation in peace and decision -making negotiations.

It is noteworthy that the Human Rights Council established a fact -finding mission on Sudan in October 2023 to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law in the context of the conflict that broke out in April of the same year. The mission consists of three experts, including the head of the mission, Mr. Mohamed Shandi Othman, Mrs. Joy Nguzi Isello, and Mrs. Mona Dishmawi.