UN Security Council Statement on Women and Girls in Sudan

Grave Situation for Women and Girls in Sudan

• 🌍 The Security Council expresses deep concern over the devastating conflict and humanitarian crisis in Sudan, which disproportionately affects women and girls.
• 💔 Widespread sexual and gender-based violence is strongly condemned, with conflict-related sexual violence used deliberately as a tactic of war.
• 🚨 Women and girls face extreme brutality, including rape, sexual slavery, abductions, trafficking, and forced displacement, even while seeking basic services.
• 👶 Disturbingly, children, including infants, are among the victims and survivors of rape.

Violations of International Law and Accountability

• ⚖️ These acts constitute serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, potentially amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• 🚫 All parties are called upon to cease violence against civilians and ensure the protection of women and girls.
• ❕ Immediate action is needed to provide access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare services.
• ✊ The urgent need to fight impunity and ensure accountability for all atrocities is underscored, with perpetrators facing consequences.

International Efforts and Women's Participation

• 🔍 International efforts to document violations and support investigations, including by the ICC and Fact-Finding Mission, are welcomed.
• ⚖️ Support is given to Security Council sanctions against perpetrators of these crimes.
• 🤝 Women's full, equal, meaningful, and safe participation is deemed indispensable for any credible and lasting political solution for Sudan.
• 📢 Women's leadership in humanitarian response, peacekeeping, and mediation is recognized, but their organizations remain underfunded and excluded from decision-making.
• 🗣️ Women's leadership and voices must be central to humanitarian, peacebuilding, and reconstruction efforts.

Urgency and Security Council Focus

• 🏥 Reports of attacks on medical facilities, including maternity hospitals, highlight the devastating cost of inaction.
• 🏠 Nearly three-quarters of women-headed households face food insecurity.
• 📌 The Security Council must keep the situation of women and girls at the forefront of its deliberations on Sudan.