The United Nations has indicated that sexual violence against children is increasingly being used as a tactic in the ongoing conflict in Sudan. A recent report underscores the peril faced by millions of children due to this distressing trend.
In a disturbing revelation, the UN children’s agency has disclosed that children as young as one year old have been subjected to rape across nine states in Sudan.
As of early 2024, the agency has reported that 221 children, including boys, have endured this horrific experience at the hands of armed individuals.
These troubling figures were compiled from gender-based violence service providers operating in the area, emphasizing the profound impact of the ongoing violence on the youngest and most vulnerable members of society.
The conflict in Sudan began in April 2023, with the military clashing against the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces.
This brutal conflict has claimed the lives of at least 20,000 people, with estimates suggesting the actual number may be even higher.
The war has displaced over 14 million individuals, resulting in widespread famine in various regions of the country.
Human rights organizations have reported numerous atrocities, including sexual violence and forced marriages of children, committed by both factions involved in the conflict.
UNICEF’s recent findings reveal that approximately 61,800 children have been internally displaced since the war began.
The agency has documented multiple instances of children being raped during attacks on urban areas.
Significantly, more than 30% of the victims were boys, including 16 children under the age of five and four infants.
The reported incidents occurred in several states, including Gedaref, Kassala, and Khartoum, among others.
Of the 221 cases, 73 were associated with the conflict, while 71 were unrelated, with the remaining cases still under investigation, as noted by Tess Ingram from UNICEF.
