Women and girls fleeing the war in Sudan at risk of sexual assault and gender-based violence: three stories of survival

CONTENT WARNING: The following stories contain information about sexual assault and gender-based violence that may be distressing or upsetting.

Since April 2023, displaced women and girls across Sudan and neighboring countries have continued to bear the brunt of the ongoing war. As of August 2024, 7.9 million people have been internally displaced within Sudan due to the conflict, and more than 2.1 million people have sought refuge in neighboring countries.

Women and girls make up more than half of all registered refugees from Sudan. According to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, 78 percent of refugees forced to flee to neighboring countries are women and children, who face the heightened risks of gender-based violence (GBV) in conflict-affected areas of Sudan, on the move or in countries of asylum.

Here are the stories of three women who have been forced to flee the war in Sudan, their harrowing stories of surviving sexual and gender-based violence and how UNHCR is ensuring their safety and protection during and after their journeys to safety.

Fatima*

Fatima* is a survivor of sexual violence. Fatima was in her home when the outbreak of violence in Khartoum began. She endured the trauma of armed men entering her home, threatening her and ultimately sexually assaulting her repeatedly for more than a week. Fearing for her children's safety, Fatima made the courageous decision to flee Sudan, eventually finding refuge across the border in Ethiopia. 

Thanks to support from UNHCR and its partners in Ethiopia, Fatima received essential services, including psychosocial support and medical care. Having discovered that she was pregnant as a result of the assault, Fatima now faces new challenges. Determined to leave Sudan and the conflict behind, she sold the last of her gold to pay for the family’s travel across the border to Ethiopia. Though she is safe now, she remains uncertain about her family's future and longs for a permanent place of safety and stability. 

Her story underscores the urgent need for increased international support to protect and empower women who continue to bear the brunt of violence and displacement. Her harrowing journey captures the stark realities faced by many Sudanese women and girls during the ongoing conflict.

Salma*

Before the war began, Salma* lived with her husband and three children in El Geneina, the capital of Sudan’s West Darfur region. The family’s house was burned down when conflict engulfed the city, and they spent more than a week sheltering in abandoned buildings before fleeing to Chad.

Before reaching the border, Salma’s husband was captured by a group of armed men and she and her children were forced to continue without him. A short while later, four more armed men stopped her family and told Salma to put down the child she was carrying.

“They hit me, and I fell,” recalls Salma. “I fainted, and I don't know what they did to me.”

Salma and one of her children were beaten by another man, who stole her money, two mobile phones and other belongings. Finally, they reached the river marking the border with Chad, where she waded through the muddy, waist-high water to carry her children to safety.

The family is now safe, living in eastern Chad, where Salma registered with UNHCR to receive food assistance and medical attention. Despite the help she receives, her situation remains incredibly difficult. She earns little money doing odd jobs for her neighbors to help keep her children fed, but she still suffers from pain in her back and abdomen following her attack. 

“I have to work despite the pain; otherwise, who will feed my children?” she says. “Our children should be in school for their future. I just want my children to go to school and be safe.”

Djamila*

Djamila* has tragically endured multiple traumas on her journey to safety. First, she was forced to flee her home due to the war in Sudan, and then, while fleeing to Chad, she was sexually assaulted. 

More than 629,524 refugees from Sudan have sought safety in Chad as of August 2024, making it the largest host country for refugees fleeing the war in Sudan. Chad now hosts 1.1 million refugees — the largest refugee host country per capita in Africa.

Now, thanks to UNHCR, Djamila participates in group therapy sessions where she learns to cope with the trauma of surviving gender-based violence. The UN Refugee Agency has also provided her with financial assistance to start a small business to help support her children. Djamlia now sells dishware, which has helped her become financially independent.

*Names have been changed for protection reasons

How you can help…

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency supports the full journey of refugees who have been forced to flee violence, war and persecution. Our donors help refugees in their greatest time of need with shelter, food, water and medical care, and their support builds awareness for resettled refugees living in the U.S. With your help, more refugees will have the opportunity to build peaceful lives and give their families a bright future.