Sudan — Violations against women in Darfur and Kordofan are increasing, with documented cases of sexual violence, secret arrests, and detention inside homes, heightening fears of an expanding circle of violations and the absence of protection mechanisms.

The Women for Peace and Security group, which includes women from conflict zones in Sudan, announced the recording of more than 225 cases of sexual violence and violations of various forms in a single camp for displaced people in Darfur, western Sudan, over the past three months. It confirmed that accusations of committing these violations implicate some service providers and camp elders.

The group confirmed the arrest of a number of women in various areas of Darfur, including women in Kebkabiya, others working in documentation in El Fasher, in addition to detainees from Nyala by the Rapid Support Forces, some of whom were transferred to Dgris prison.

It explained that there are women detained inside homes in Nyala, amid a severe information blackout, drawing attention to the fact that large numbers of women from Darfur, Kordofan, and other areas remain in detention, along with detainees held during the spread of Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum.

It added that families often avoid disclosing cases of arrest for fear that their circulation through civil society organizations could lead to further torture, isolation, ill-treatment, and deprivation of medicine and food, noting that these violations occur amid widespread secrecy and an almost complete ban on documentation efforts.