The United Nations agency for women, UN Women, has raised alarm over the growing violence against women, girls, and civilians in and around El Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan.
In a statement, the agency described the situation as catastrophic, noting that women and girls have faced siege, bombardment, and starvation for more than 500 days. Reports indicate that about 300,000 women and girls—half of the 575,000 people trapped in the city—are surviving on animal feed and leaves amid severe hunger and insecurity.
UN Women said the recent takeover of El Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) marked a shift from siege to mass atrocities. The group cited reports of killings, rape, gang rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, and abductions of women and girls.
Medical networks, including the Sudan Doctors Union, have reported that over 2,000 civilians, many of them women and girls, have been killed in recent days. On October 30, nearly 500 patients and their companions were reportedly killed during attacks on the Saudi Maternity Hospital, where many women had sought refuge and medical treatment. There are also credible accounts of assaults on health workers.
Satellite images and video evidence reportedly show burnt homes, desecrated bodies, and mass graves. Communication blackouts have further limited the verification of these atrocities and blocked aid deliveries, worsening the humanitarian crisis.
Thousands of women and girls have fled to Tawila Locality, which now hosts over 300,000 internally displaced people, most of them women and girls. Severe shortages of food, medical care, and shelter continue in the area.
UN Women called on all parties to end hostilities and protect civilians, especially women and girls. The agency also urged for unrestricted humanitarian access and accountability for war crimes and sexual violence in line with international human rights and humanitarian laws.
The organisation appealed for greater funding for humanitarian relief and women-led organisations, which it said are under-resourced despite leading many of the response efforts.
“Women are not only victims of this war; they are agents of peace, resilience, and recovery. Their leadership must be central to all humanitarian, peacebuilding, and reconstruction efforts,” UN Women stated.
The agency urged the international community to act swiftly and collectively to stop the violence, protect civilians, and defend the rights and dignity of women and girls in Sudan.
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