Federal Unit for Combating Violence Against Women and Children Calls for Urgent Action to Protect Children in Conflict

On this year’s International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict under the theme “Conflict-Related Sexual Violence against Children: Protecting the Future and Empowering Caregivers”

The Federal Unit for Combating Violence against Women and Children affirms that sexual violence related to conflicts against children constitutes a serious crime and a grave violation of international humanitarian law, international human rights law and national legislation, and requires urgent national, regional and international action to prevent it and hold the perpetrators accountable.

As conflicts around the world escalate and the resulting violence and painful effects on the children of Sudan, as a result, a number of (1866) girls and boys have been victims of rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, child marriage and trafficking, and (394) reports of sexual crimes committed against children in different areas of Sudan have been received, and many of them are subjected to atrocities during attacks on their homes or during their flight. Others are abducted or forcibly recruited as fighters, forced to watch atrocities, and may even be coerced into committing acts of sexual violence themselves.

Outlaw rebel militias have used sexual violence against children before as a deliberate strategy to punish communities and break social bonds. This type of abuse leaves lasting scars that include physical and psychological trauma and social exclusion.

Ending this brutality requires decisive action on three main axes: protection, ensuring the security of children in conflict zones; and accountability: to ensure that victims receive justice and that perpetrators are held accountable. Prevention: by addressing the causes of sexual violence, strengthening institutions, and investing in child-centered services.

Comprehensive support to survivors is essential to rebuild their lives and repair the devastating effects on their families.
Children should not be the target of wars, as protecting them is a legal and moral duty of every combatant and every official.

We affirm that conflict has a negative impact on childhood and its short duration. But together we can build a future in which every girl and boy grows up in safety and dignity.

God is the Guardian of Success
Khartoum, 19/6/2026