Sudan Anti-Gender-Violence Units Hold First Meeting in Khartoum Since Conflict

• The units combating violence against women and children will hold their first meeting in Khartoum since the conflict began.
• 12.3 million women and girls are at risk of gender-based violence in Sudan, an increase of 80% compared to 2024.
• The meeting aims to develop a national plan to enhance rapid response and strengthen state-level units' ability to respond quickly and professionally to cases.

The meeting will bring together representatives from all states in Sudan, with the goal of producing a unified national plan and actionable recommendations to strengthen the work of state-level units and enable them to respond quickly and professionally to cases.

The units combating violence against women and children will hold their first meeting in Khartoum since the conflict began, with the aim of developing a national plan to enhance rapid response. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNPF), 12.3 million women and girls are at risk of gender-based violence in 2026, an increase of 80% compared to 2024. The meeting will bring together representatives from all states in Sudan, with the goal of producing a unified national plan and actionable recommendations to strengthen the work of state-level units and enable them to respond quickly and professionally to cases.

Girls face high levels of gender-based violence, including early and forced marriage, sexual exploitation, harassment, and forced labor in harsh conditions. These risks are exacerbated by economic pressure on families, leading to increased vulnerability when collecting firewood, traveling through valleys, going to markets or distribution centers, schools, or other areas where armed groups operate. Women and girls are more likely to be at risk due to the presence of armed groups and the expansion of conflict zones.

The meeting aims to unify perspectives and evaluate the performance of state-level units, discussing various topics related to protecting women and children in the current situation. Amira Azhari, responsible for the unit combating violence against women and children under the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Welfare, stated that the meeting will include 'the development of a unified national plan, recommendations for improving the work of state-level units, and enhancing their ability to respond quickly and professionally to cases.' This development highlights the need for businesses operating in Sudan to be aware of the country's efforts to combat gender-based violence, and may require companies to review their policies and procedures for protecting employees from such risks.

This development highlights the need for businesses operating in Sudan to be aware of the country's efforts to combat gender-based violence, and may require companies to review their policies and procedures for protecting employees from such risks.

Source: Original reporting via سودان تربيون