Women and Conflict in Sudan
This is a brief article providing a contextual background for understanding the issues Operation Broken Silence works on. It is part of our resource list for students, teachers, and the curious and was last updated November 2023. For more information about what's happening in Sudan and our work, please sign up for our email list.
While violence touches everyone in conflict, women and girls face particular gendered violence on top of genocidal violence from their national, ethnic, racial, or religious identity. Historically men are more likely to be victims of direct killing acts while women face non-killing acts that can be overlooked, obscured, and erased from the historical record.
While some advances have been made for women —with the International Criminal Court recognizing women’s experiences as convictable war crimes— there is still more work to be done by both further advocating for women’s voices during war tribunals and removing stigma of gender violence, so women feel comfortable sharing about their experiences.
Because of this stigma, oftentimes few stories exist, which is the case for women in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Over the past few decades, specific instances of gender violence include forced marriages, forced relocation to Khartoum, and the mass rape of women. All of these examples break down the fundamental bond of the family and community in the Nuba Mountains.
Below is a list of further resources on the violence that women face in conflict and genocide as well as how we might enact change to stop it.
Women’s Experiences of Genocide
Resource from The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
SUDAN - UN WOMEN
Article from the United Nations
RAPE IS A WEAPON OF WAR
Report from Amnesty International on sexual violence in Darfur
Celebrating Women’s History in Sudan
Article from Radio Dabanga
Ending Violence Against Women
Resource from the United Nations
GENOCIDE BY ATTRITION
Book with female experiences specific to the Nuba Mountains
From Learning To Action
Operation Broken Silence is building a global movement to empower Sudanese heroes in the war-torn periphery regions of Sudan, including teachers in Yida Refugee Camp. Teachers just like Chana.
The Endure Primary and Renewal Secondary Schools we sponsor are run entirely by Sudanese teachers. These are two of the only Nuba schools that require half of all students be girls. Your gift will help pay educator salaries, deliver school supplies and more.
If you can’t donate right now, we encourage you start a fundraising page and ask friends and family to give!
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