UN official: Sudanese women face risk of sexual violence and displacement

Regional Director of the United Nations Population Fund for Arab States, Leila Bakr expressed her deep concern about the tragic conditions facing Sudanese women and girls, amid the ongoing conflict and its catastrophic humanitarian repercussions.

Leila Bakr is making a solidarity visit to Sudan to highlight the plight of Sudanese women who are suffering from the repercussions of a disastrous war described as a “war on women.” Speaking to UN News from the coastal city of Port Sudan, Bakr said the maternity hospital she visited was overcrowded and severely lacking medical supplies, praising the dedication of field workers despite the difficult circumstances.

Laila Bakr noted the efforts of UNFPA and its partners in providing much-needed support, but the situation remains difficult given the huge number of people in need of assistance.
Bakr also highlighted the sexual violence women face as a result of displacement and conflict, stressing the importance of providing health and psychological care to survivors.

Bakr concluded her message by calling on the world to redouble its efforts to achieve peace in Sudan, stressing that the Sudanese people deserve stability and international support to emerge from this crisis.