Sudan Civil War

What is the Current Situation in the Sudan Civil War?

Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a violent conflict. Clashes between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have led to the largest hunger and displacement crisis in the world, with more than 11 million people displaced and nearly 25 million people facing acute hunger.

The conflict has particularly devastated the lives of women and girls, who have experienced repeated displacement, widespread sexual violence, and traumatic losses, including the killing or starvation of loved ones. In the face of violence, exploitation, and separation from family breadwinners, women have had to take on new roles. Often with little or no support, they have established small businesses, set up safe spaces for women, and established learning centers for children. For many women, the need for psychosocial support for themselves and their children is critical.

WRC's Priorities for the Sudan Civil War

In 2024, the Women’s Refugee Commission partnered with the Sudan Family Planning Association (SFPA) and Gender in Emergencies Group (GiE) to publish In Her Own Words: Voices from Sudan—a collection of stories from more than 20 women who have been displaced by the conflict in Sudan. An accompanying scoping report reviews to what extent assessments of the crisis in Sudan reflect findings of the different impact of the crisis on women, men, girls, and boys.

Drawing on the calls to action by the women who shared their stories with us, as well as the findings in the scoping report, WRC, SFPA, and GiE collaboratively developed three key recommendations for governments, donors, and humanitarian actors.

• Institutionalize the sustained leadership and equal participation of Sudanese women in governance and peace negotiations at the local, national, and international level.
• Urgently fund the Sudan humanitarian response and prioritize policy, programs, and funding that address the immediate needs of Sudanese women: protection from violence, access to humanitarian assistance, and livelihoods and psychosocial support.
• Urgently invest in education, employment, and leadership pathways for young Sudanese women, to avoid risks of a lost generation.

How to Help Women and Girls in Sudan

Your voice helps spread the word about the issues facing women and girls whose lives have been devastated by the Sudan civil war. Share a post today on the Sudan conflict.

Our Advocacy on the Sudan Civil War

WRC is committed to ensuring the needs and rights of those impacted by the Sudan civil war are protected. Below is a list of WRC’s advocacy work related to the Sudan civil war.

WRC's Media on the Sudan Civil War

The news media have featured WRC’s research and staff expertise on the impact of the Sudan civil war on women and girls.