The conflict between the government of Sudan and two rebel groups that began in 2003 has precipitated the worst humanitarian and human rights crises in the world today.
On third of this month, hundreds of Kenyans, women with little number of men marched through the streets of Nairobi, all clad in red T- shirts, carrying banners and shouting ‘Stop Rape in Darfur’, personifying it as a crime.
The program manager of the African Women’s Development and Communication Network said that they wanted to pressurize ‘the government of Sudan to protect civilians in Darfur, and especially Darfurian women who are suffering from sexual violence and rape’.
Organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have already presented statistical data, which accounts for the mounting number of rape and other kinds of violence against women in the region.
In figures:
1. 2004, more than 250 rape cases were recorded, pregnant women too have not been spared
2. there have been torturous killings in the context of sexual violence
3. 2005, 230 rape cases were recorded
4. more than 200 sexual assaults have been reported in Southern Darfur
5. 82% of the rape cases occur when girls and women goes out in search of firewood
Current situations:
Women have been summarily or indiscriminately killed, raped, tortured, abducted, forcibly displaced and are put under sexual slavery. And the worst part is, the community itself boycotts the victimized girls and women.
According to the Human Rights Watch, one in only six agencies provides health care services in the refuges camp. It might lead to an epidemic because of the apparent lack of hygiene.
The Sudanese government has not only failed in its duty to protect civilians, it has also actively violated its legal obligations to protect civilians. In most of the cases, they are the culprits in harassing women folk; they even charge women with adultery if they are not able to pay the fine.
Thus, out of sheer reprisals, the victims do not come out of their shells and are discouraged from reporting.
Bottom line:
Thus, in order to end sexual violence, the Government of Sudan needs to fully acknowledge the scope of the problem and take concrete action to end the climate of impunity in Darfur, which could only be possible with the effective working of Special Criminal Court for the Events in Darfur.
In addition, the Government of Sudan much permit humanitarian organizations to have free and unfettered access to help victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence throughout Darfur
