Published on: 2026-07-24
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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July 24, 2026 Women
In El Obeid, Sudan, every trip to fetch water poses a serious danger to women and girls: during the day, water sources and distribution points are targeted by drone attacks, and at night, Sudanese women face harassment, rape, and other forms of sexual violence. This was stated on Friday by the UN Women organization.
According to the UN agency, women and girls are forced to wait until dark, believing that they will be better protected from airstrikes at night. However, when going out for water after sunset, they are often subjected to sexual violence.
Threat of cholera
With the approach of the peak rainy season, the shortage of safe drinking water increases the risk of spreading infections. Cholera has already affected several regions of Sudan: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1330 cases of the disease were registered in the country at the beginning of July
The situation is exacerbated by malnutrition, which significantly weakens the immune system and is becoming an increasingly serious problem among women and girls. Combined with the lack of access to medical care, it greatly increases the risk of severe illness and death.
Sexual violence as a weapon of war
Sexual violence has been used as a weapon of war throughout the three years of the conflict in Sudan and has become one of its most defining features, said the UN Women entity. Since the beginning of the conflict, the number of women and girls in need of protection services against gender-based violence and assistance has quadrupled. According to the organization’s estimates, their number reached 12.7 million in 2026.
Local organizations led by women play a crucial role in providing humanitarian aid. With the support of UN Women, they assist populations in areas often inaccessible to other humanitarian agencies, and provide essential services to women and girls. However, funding cuts have severely limited their capabilities.
Two-thirds of the women’s organizations surveyed in Sudan reported that safe spaces and support services for survivors of gender-based violence in their areas have closed or significantly reduced their operations. Half of the organizations warned that without urgent financial support, they will have to suspend activities or shut down completely within the next year.
Call for a ceasefire
UN Women has once again called for an immediate ceasefire, which should open the way to peace talks and an end to the war.
The organization also demanded to ensure safe and unobstructed humanitarian access, to comply with international humanitarian law and international human rights standards, and to guarantee the protection of women and girls. The perpetrators of violations must be held accountable, and the victims must have access to justice and comprehensive assistance, the organization emphasized.
Women must fully participate in peace processes, decision-making related to humanitarian issues, and the country’s recovery, and their security must be guaranteed. The UN also called for increased funding for women-led organizations.
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