Human Rights Watch has accused the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan of committing widespread sexual violence against women, including rape, gang rape, and forced marriages.

A report by HRW details that between September 2023 and February 2024, 42 interviews with healthcare and social workers uncovered 262 victims of sexual violence.

The report highlights that sexual violence and forced marriages are particularly prevalent in Greater Khartoum, including areas like Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri.

HRW has condemned both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) for their attacks on healthcare systems and personnel, which have severely restricted access to medical and psychological support for survivors.

The ongoing conflict has displaced nearly nine million people and has seen both warring factions accused of committing war crimes, including deliberate attacks on civilians and obstruction of humanitarian aid.

This conflict, fueled by a power struggle between de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has forced nearly ten million people to flee their homes.

International experts have warned that around 755,000 people are facing famine, with 8.5 million experiencing extreme food shortages due to the ongoing violence.

The situation in Sudan is being described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, exacerbated by the conflict that has resulted in over 14,000 deaths and significant destruction of infrastructure.

Victims of sexual violence face numerous barriers to accessing emergency healthcare, with reports indicating that at least four women have died due to a lack of timely medical care following rapes.

One particularly harrowing case involved a mother and her four daughters being repeatedly raped while under house arrest by the RSF, highlighting the severe human rights violations occurring.

HRW has called for an immediate cessation of attacks on healthcare facilities and urged the UN Security Council to impose sanctions on responsible commanders.