Armed men are committing horrific acts of sexual violence against children, including infants as young as one year old, amid the widespread conflict engulfing Sudan, according to a report by UNICEF.
The situation has been described as a crisis of unimaginable proportions, with children facing brutal violations that may constitute war crimes under international law.
Data gathered by gender-based violence (GBV) service providers in Sudan reveals that at least 221 cases of rape against children have been recorded since the beginning of 2024. However, these figures are believed to represent only a fraction of the actual number of cases, as survivors and their families often hesitate to come forward due to limited access to services, stigma, fear of rejection, and potential retribution from armed groups.
“Children as young as one being raped by armed men should shock anyone to their core and compel immediate action,” said UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell. “Millions of children in Sudan are at risk of rape and other forms of sexual violence, which is being used as a tactic of war. This is an abhorrent violation of international law and could constitute a war crime. It must stop.”
Of the 221 child rape survivors, 66 percent (147 children) are girls, while a notable 33 percent are boys, highlighting the widespread nature of the violence. Shockingly, 16 of the survivors are under five years old, including four infants aged one. Additionally, 77 cases of sexual assault — primarily attempted rapes — have been reported across nine states, from the south to the north and east to west of Sudan.
The pervasive threat of sexual violence has forced many women and girls to flee their homes, seeking refuge in other cities or informal displacement sites, where they continue to face a heightened risk of assault. The impact of this violence is profound and long-lasting, often leading to severe psychological trauma, forced isolation, family rejection, pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections, and other serious complications.
UNICEF is responding to the crisis by partnering with local organizations to establish safe spaces that provide GBV services for survivors. This includes integrating support into health services at clinics and mobile units, supplying essential medical resources, and building the capacity of frontline workers such as social workers, psychologists, and medical professionals. Additionally, UNICEF is working within communities to combat harmful social norms that perpetuate violence.
“Widespread sexual violence in Sudan has instilled terror in people, especially children,” Russell stated. “The parties to the conflict, and those with influence on them, must make every effort to put an end to these grave violations against children. These scars of war are immeasurable and long-lasting.”
As a result, UNICEF demands to end Sexual Violence in Sudan to ensure protection of Civilians, end Gender-based violence, Protection of Essential Services and improve access to humanitarian aids.
As the conflict in Sudan rages on, the call from UNICEF is clear: Immediate international action is needed to halt the horrific sexual violence targeting children and to prevent the crisis from leaving an enduring and devastating legacy.
By Stanley Nii Blewu
