Face of Truth: What voice visited my imagination yesterday?!
Ibrahim Shiglawi
Despite the longstanding presence of feminist movements and political and social organizations in which Sudanese women have been involved since the dawn of the country’s political history, the current challenges raise serious questions about their role and future under the prevailing circumstances. Sudanese women have played a pivotal role in leading change across generations, from education and public service to political and organizational positions. However, today they face a harsh reality that threatens their historical achievements.
On their special day, women were absent from official recognition—not only by the government and political actors but even by Sudanese parties. This compels us to ask a fundamental question: What remains for Sudanese women? Between the suffering of war and the marginalization by political parties, we seek an answer in this article—I hope we find one!
The participation of Sudanese women in the political and social sphere was not born overnight; its roots stretch back for decades. Pioneering figures emerged, such as Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim, the first Sudanese woman to enter Parliament in 1965; Suad Al-Fatih Al-Badawi, an academic, UNESCO advisor, and leader in the Sudanese Islamic movement; and Fatima Abdel Mahmoud, the first woman to run for the presidency. These figures are just examples from a long record of feminist struggle, reflecting the deep involvement of women in Sudan’s political and social scene.
However, the paradox lies in the fact that these achievements have not withstood the political upheavals and conflicts that have plagued our country. Women’s participation has been reduced to transient phases—granted according to political shifts, then quickly revoked as the balance of power changes. With every political transition, women’s issues are pushed to the margins, even at critical moments such as post-revolutionary transitional periods or political negotiations.
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces militia, women have faced one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern times. According to UN reports, more than 8 million people have been displaced due to the war—88% of them women and children. Even more alarming, women have become direct targets of systematic violence, including rape, forced marriage, and abduction, amid a total collapse of protection and accountability mechanisms.
The most painful aspect of this reality is that these crimes are committed in the face of widespread international and regional silence, with a glaring inability to enforce strict mechanisms for holding perpetrators accountable. The Rapid Support Forces militia faces direct accusations of carrying out systematic crimes against women, exploiting the security vacuum and the absence of effective international oversight. This scene is reminiscent of what happened in Darfur over the past two decades, where perpetrators were not seriously held accountable, encouraging the repetition of these crimes in Khartoum, Al-Jazira, and other conflict zones.
Despite the catastrophic impact of the war on women, the negotiation tracks that began in Jeddah in May 2023, under Saudi and American sponsorship, have not given their suffering genuine priority. In previous governments, women’s representation was set at 40%, but it has now shrunk to 30%, a clear indicator of the declining political will to ensure meaningful female participation. Worse still, some political actors who support the militia even question the extent of crimes committed against women, reinforcing a culture of impunity.
This denial is not just a form of neglect; it extends from a political pattern that consistently sidelines women and refuses to recognize their issues as national priorities. In this environment, women’s attempts to reclaim their rights face political and social challenges that make any progress contingent on their own determination.
History shows that women are capable of reshaping the political and social landscape, but this requires genuine recognition of their role and actual integration into solution frameworks—beyond symbolic rhetoric. Any political project or peace process that does not place women’s issues at its core will fail to achieve sustainable peace and will only reproduce the same marginalization that led Sudan to its current crises.
On International Women’s Day, March 8, 2025, no official statements were issued by Sudanese officials regarding the status of women, nor did Sudanese political parties acknowledge their struggles. However, UN reports and human rights organizations have called for urgent attention to the catastrophic impact of the war on Sudanese women. Meanwhile, journalistic outlets have emphasized the importance of ensuring a safe environment for female journalists, given the rising violations against women in the media sector.
From the face of truth, I sincerely hope Sudanese women will reclaim their place in the national landscape—not as victims, but as key partners in rebuilding the state. This aspiration hinges on their ability to assert themselves in the upcoming political scene despite all challenges and obstacles. Until then, we are left reminiscing about the inspiring words of the great Kabli, who honored Sudanese women:
“What voice visited my imagination yesterday?
It touched my heart and sang to perfection.
It spread purity in the world of beauty.
It is my voice, I am the mother of today, the reason for joy.
I am from your world, the sweetest of hopes.”
May you all stay well and in good health.
Sunday, March 9, 2025
Shglawi55@gmail.com