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Practical Action Sudan – Perspective Gender-Based Violence

This article is part of the 16 Days Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, 2023

Sudan is a ­­developing country that is facing a growing problem of gender-based violence.

Since the eruption of conflict in the country in April 2023, the United Nations reports an increase in gender-based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence against refugees and internally displaced women and girls.

While the current conflict has exacerbated gender-based violence in Sudan, it was a major issue even before the fighting began. The UN estimates that more than 3 million women and girls were at risk while current estimates are around 4.2 million people.

Despite these staggering figures, cases of gender-based violence remain grossly underreported due to the social stigma, shame, and fear of retaliation. Furthermore, the fragile security situation, compounded by lack of access to electricity and telecommunications services make reporting cases and accessing humanitarian support and emergency health care extremely difficult.

Nevertheless, development and humanitarian partners in Sudan and neighbouring countries continue to work tirelessly to support women and girls, including survivors of gender-based violence with prevention and response interventions including facilitating access to safe spaces for women and girls, access to emergency health services and supplies, psychosocial support, and case management support.

Practical Action remains an active development partner in Sudan, despite the current conflict. We have been operating in the country for over four decades, working with rural communities in Darfur, Bule Nile and Kassala to support people affected by the harsh impacts of climate change such as desertification, soil degradation, lack of water and environmental damage. Our staff on the ground remain dedicated to delivering support to people we work with, often at the risk to their own personal safety.

Cognizant of the current context and the increased risk of gender-based violence, especially for women and girls, our goal to achieve Gender Transformative Change has become ever more important. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity, resources, and support to achieve their potential. Gender equality is development. That’s why we champion the advancement of gender equality and women’s economic empowerment in our work.

While we continue our work in Sudan, Practical Action remains steadfast in our commitment to “do no harm”.  We take our responsibility to safeguard seriously. Informed by our safeguarding policy, Practical Action works to create a strong and effective enabling environment and a safeguarding culture to promote the rights and protection of people we work with, community members, staff, volunteers, and anyone else impacted by our work. We firmly believe that no person should experience harm, particularly sexual exploitation, or abuse.

A woman wearing a pink scarf stands in front of a tree, highlighting the importance of gender-based violence and the efforts made by Practical Action Sudan.

Muna Eltahir Hamdan (pictured), Practical Action’s Country Director in Sudan, is not only a gender expert but also a passionate advocate for women’s rights. Reflecting on the current situation in Sudan, our organization’s work, and the needs of women, she shares her perspective: “Our ultimate goal is to empower women economically, enable their participation in decision-making processes, and transform mindsets within communities.” In pursuit of this objective, we strive to empower women through our change ambitions and strategic direction. While we may not be categorized as a gender transformation organization like UN Women, our projects focus on achieving gender transformative change. We ensure that we assess and address the diverse needs of both women and men. Our collaborations extend to local and international implementation partners, as well as various UN agencies.

 

Within Sudan, Practical Action actively participates in INGO forums, particularly when advocating to end gender-based violence. Muna, being a dedicated gender activist, goes the extra mile whenever possible. She also notes that our safeguarding approach is robust; however, further efforts are needed to enhance understanding and awareness regarding our zero-tolerance stance on gender-based violence. As a development-focused organization, we operate within safe environments. Hence, our ability to address gender-based violence is limited due to the current conflict context, which renders certain areas inaccessible, especially those that require our assistance the most.

 

Muna emphasizes that ending gender-based violence necessitates a multi-stakeholder approach and collaborative efforts. This includes engagement from development and humanitarian agencies, both local and international, government agencies at all levels, the private sector, civil services, and community organizations. She laments the lack of justice and humanity experienced by women in Sudan currently. “What is happening currently in Sudan for women is the ultimate lack of justice and inhumanity, and what is making it more awful, and bitter is the silence of the international communities and media.”

Perspective on a group of women planting plants in a greenhouse, promoting Practical Action Sudan's initiatives against Gender-Based Violence.
Two women, supported by the organization Practical Action Sudan, are planting a tree in the dirt, demonstrating the transformative power of perspective and addressing issues related to gender-based violence.
A woman wearing a red head scarf holding a colorful plate, emphasizing the Perspective of Gender-Based Violence in Practical Action Sudan.