APPG on Women, Peace, and Security: SGBV in Sudan. 23rd April, 2025.

In recognition of the two-year anniversary of the war in Sudan, the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Women, Peace and Security organised an event titled “Sexual and Gender-based violence in Sudan.” The event—chaired by Baroness Hodgson, co-chair of the APPG-WPS—focused on the systematic nature of sexual violence in Sudan and how the consequences have transpired within the borders of the UK. This event was conducted with Chatham House rules.   .

The event welcomed four panelist experts who spoke on the harrowing impact of gender and sexual-based violence across families, communities and borders in Sudan. The conversation covered the need for survivor-led and trauma-focused psychosocial support for those impacted by sexual and gender-based violence and the use of rape as a weapon of war. The speakers also importantly outlined how the violence in Sudan does not occur within the country’s borders in isolation, the UK is experiencing intersecting insecurities domestically, including the intimidation of Sudanese WHRDs and rise of domestic violence.

For more than two decades, the impact of insecurity and violence have directly impacted Sudanese women and girls. Recommendations from the panelists included: urging the UK Government to listen to survivors, as a UN penholder on Sudan; ensuring consistency in its approach to protecting civilians and humanitarian workers; UN-led initiatives to investigate SGBV and missing girl crimes; and for the Met Police and Home Office to treat assaults as gender-based hate crimes.