Conflict-Related Sexual Violence in Sudan: Reparation Prospects and Next Steps

Please join us on Monday 9 October 2023 for a Round Table on Conflict-Related Sexual Violence and Reparation in Sudan, Key Challenges and Next Steps. To participate, please register here:

Since the outbreak of the current conflict in Sudan on 15 April 2023, civilians have been facing brutal violence. Over 5 million people have been displaced inside and outside Sudan due to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. Thousands have been killed and injured, others face enforced displacement and women and girls as young as 12 are being subjected to sexual violence.

This event will launch the findings of the new collaborative Study on the Status of and Opportunities for Reparations for Survivors of Conflict-related Sexual Violence in Sudan. It will highlight how the impacts of conflict-related sexual violence in Sudan have been devastating for decades, with the current conflict seeing new dimensions of the use of rape as a weapon of war.

The Study presents and analyses survivors’ views and expectations for reparations as well as potential legal avenues for reparation prior to the outbreak of conflict in April 2023. It offers practical, concrete, and context-specific recommendations to policymakers and other relevant actors at national and global levels despite the ongoing violence.

This round table will offer an opportunity to examine the key challenges in preventing and addressing conflict-related sexual violence in the current conflict and to consider next steps, recommendations and how to keep opportunities for reparation alive.

Round table discussion and Q&A Moderator:

Mariana Goetz, Founder Director of Rights for Peace

Opening Remarks: Embassy to be confirmed*

• Esther Dingemans, Executive Director, Global Survivors Fund: The Global Reparations Study
• Sulaima Ishaq, Head of Combating Violence against Women and Children Unit, Sudan Ministry of Social Development: The Current Situation
• Reem Alsalem, UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls: This 54th HRC Session: where we are at now
• Ghada Awad Shawgi, Attorney, Senior Gender and Human Rights Advisor, Sudan expert: Prevention and key recommendations
• Najlaa Ahmed Elkafia, Sudan Legal Advisor, Rights for Peace: Are we repeating the past? Lack of accountability, next steps and recommendations
• Radhouane Nouicer, UN Expert on Human Rights in Sudan: Mandate next steps and objectives
• Representative, Office of the Prosecutor, International Criminal Court tbc*: Update on investigations under Security Council Resolution 1593 (2005) for the current commission of crimes including conflict-related sexual violence in Darfur

Conclusions from the Moderator

*The Sudan Reparations Study is a project led by Rights for Peace in collaboration with Nuba Women for Education and Development Association (NuWEDA), Salmeen Charity, and the Global Survivors Fund. The Sudan Reparations Study is part of the Global Reparations Study, a global research effort, coordinated and implemented in over 20 countries around the world by the Global Survivors Fund, with over 40 local and international partners, including survivors’ networks and groups. The purpose of this global study is to provide an overview of the status of and opportunities for reparations for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. It makes recommendations for further action based on survivors’ needs and aspirations and identifies potential support available among key actors and concrete action to enhance access to reparations for CRSV survivors around the world.

Tea, coffee and pastries will be available from 9.30am.

Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in English and Arabic