Heartbreaking Truth: Infants Among Rape Victims in Sudan’s War
Hala (not her real name), seen here holding her baby, is one of countless teenagers raped since the war began
Warning: This article contains details of sexual violence that some people may find distressing
By Edward Francis Dalliah
Amidst Sudan’s ongoing violent conflict, a horrific and largely unseen crisis is unfolding, exposing the cruellest depths of war. A recent report from the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) reveals that children, including “infants as young as one,” are being subjected to brutal sexual violence by armed men. These acts of terror, employed as a tactic of war, are leaving indelible scars on Sudan’s youngest victims, with millions of children at risk of sexual violence as the conflict continues.
According to data gathered by gender-based violence service providers operating in Sudan, at least 221 cases of child rape have been reported since the beginning of 2024. However, this figure is widely acknowledged to be an underestimation, with many survivors too fearful or unable to come forward due to stigma and a lack of access to life-saving services.
UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell called the abuse “an abhorrent violation of international law and could constitute a war crime [therefore], it must stop.” She emphasized the urgency, stating that “infants raped by armed men should shock anyone to their core and compel immediate action.” Among the survivors, the youngest victims are heartbreakingly young. Four of the children reported being attacked were just one year old. The report also revealed that the majority of survivors—about 66%—are girls, while 33% are boys.
Sudan’s history has been marked by unrest, even before the country gained independence in 1956. These conflicts stemmed from a mix of cultural, religious, and economic differences. The most recent outbreak of violence erupted in 2023 when Sudan’s two primary security forces, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), clashed over power, further destabilizing the country.
This ongoing conflict, fuelled by deep divisions within Sudan’s leadership, continues to intensify the humanitarian crisis. In regions like Darfur, the violence is compounded, leaving millions of Sudanese people in dire conditions. Women and children have become particularly vulnerable, with armed groups using sexual violence as a weapon of war, targeting children as young as infants to inflict maximum psychological and social damage on vulnerable populations.
In response to the growing crisis, UNICEF has significantly ramped up its efforts to support survivors. The organization is working with local and international partners to establish safe spaces where survivors can access medical care, psychological counselling, and gender-based violence services. These services are being integrated into health facilities, mobile clinics, and community-based programs to ensure that survivors can receive help wherever they are.
In their report, the children’s body has called for urgent action. The organization demands that these barbaric acts used as a tactic of war should end immediately. Additionally, they insist that the Sudanese government and all parties to the conflict must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law to protect civilians, particularly children.
