Sexual Violence as Strategic Weapon in Sudan's Civil War

As Sudan's brutal civil war enters its fourth year, a France 24 report highlights the systematic use of sexual violence against women and girls as a deliberate strategy of conflict. Angela Diffley interviews Idil Absiye, Regional Policy Advisor for Women, Peace and Security at UN Women’s East and Southern Africa Regional Office. Absiye analyzes field data, partner testimonies, and institutional reports to demonstrate how sexual violence has evolved into a weapon of war designed to instill terror and fracture communities. The discussion underscores that this violence is not incidental but serves as a blueprint for military strategy in the ongoing crisis. The article emphasizes the urgent need for international accountability and sustained attention to these atrocities. Furthermore, it calls for direct support to women-led organizations operating on the frontlines, which are critical in addressing the humanitarian fallout. This analysis brings to light the gendered dimensions of the Sudanese conflict, urging the global community to recognize and respond to the specific threats faced by women and girls amidst the broader geopolitical instability.