UN Reports RSF Forcing 12-Year-Old Girls into Marriage in Sudan

The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan urged immediate attention on Friday to the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict on women and girls, who are enduring widespread sexual and gender-based violence.

Below is the statement released by the Fact-Finding Mission in observance of International Women’s Day 2025, on March 8:

As we commemorate International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme “Accelerate Action,” we highlight the urgent need to address the severe consequences of Sudan’s ongoing conflict on women and girls. They continue to suffer from heightened gender inequality and rampant sexual and gender-based violence, bearing the heaviest burden of this crisis.

Addressing Gender-Based Violence

Our findings confirm that sexual violence in Sudan is not random; it is systematic, widespread, and deliberately used as a weapon of war. We have documented an alarming number of sexual assault cases, yet the full extent of these crimes remains hidden due to fear, stigma, and a culture of impunity.

Girls as young as seven have been subjected to sexual violence. While the majority of cases are linked to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias, we have also recorded incidents involving the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and their allies. Survivors not only endure deep trauma but are also denied justice, medical care, and psychosocial support, further compounding their suffering and silencing their voices. Urgent access to mental health services and safe spaces is critical. Without adequate support, their resilience is weakened, making it even harder for them to rebuild their lives and communities.

Child and Forced Marriage

We have received profoundly troubling accounts, particularly of RSF members participating in the forced marriages of girls as young as 12. These acts take place under intense coercion, with parents either threatened at gunpoint or feeling forced to wed their daughters to prevent the horrific alternative of rape. In some instances, these acts have been marked by extreme violence, resulting in fatalities.

These supposed marriages devastate the lives of women and girls. Beyond the immense physical and emotional suffering and trauma, the denial of fundamental rights like education and self-determination has left them ensnared in a relentless cycle of poverty and mistreatment.

Displacement and Humanitarian Crisis

More than 11 million civilians have been internally displaced, while nearly three million refugees have fled Sudan. According to UN data, the vast majority of those displaced are women and children. Forced to leave their homes with nothing, many endure severe hunger, inadequate healthcare, and constant risks of exploitation.

Overcrowded and unsafe, refugee camps and shelters provide minimal protection against sexual and gender-based violence. The crisis is especially severe along Sudan’s borders, where thousands remain stranded in dire conditions without assurances of safety or aid.

Economic Fragility

The conflict’s economic impact has deepened women’s marginalization, stripping them of financial independence and livelihoods, and driving them into severe economic insecurity, especially those displaced. The widespread destruction of markets, rampant business looting, and devastation of agricultural lands have robbed countless women of their primary income sources, pushing them further into poverty. With severely restricted access to resources and essential services, many are at increased risk of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Exclusion from Political Influence

Sudanese women have long demonstrated resilience, taking on leadership roles and standing defiantly against oppression. They have been at the forefront of mobilizing and leading movements for change. Their crucial contributions to conflict prevention and resolution, humanitarian efforts, and social transformation—often at significant personal risk—have been widely acknowledged and admired.

However, despite their vital role as peacebuilders, human rights defenders, and community leaders, Sudanese women are now largely excluded from shaping their country’s future. It is imperative to recognize them as key architects of Sudan’s progress. Their leadership and involvement in negotiations, governance, and humanitarian decision-making are essential for achieving lasting peace and stability. Upholding UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which mandates women’s inclusion in conflict prevention, resolution, and peacebuilding, is a critical step toward fostering a more just and resilient society.

Compelling Call to Action

On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the adoption of the African Union’s Convention on Ending Violence against Women and Girls on February 16, 2025, as a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice. We call on all member states to swiftly ratify the convention.

This is the time to intensify our efforts and amplify the voices of Sudanese women as they demand peace and justice. The UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan stands in unwavering solidarity with Sudanese women and girls, reiterating its call for accelerated action in the following areas:

Ending the use of sexual violence, including child and forced marriage, and ensuring impartial documentation, investigation, evidence preservation, and prosecution of these crimes, from commanders to foot soldiers.
Cooperating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and expanding its jurisdiction to cover all of Sudan’s territory, alongside the establishment of an international judicial mechanism working in complementarity with the ICC.
Providing immediate and continuous humanitarian aid to displaced women and children, including food, medical care, and safe shelter.
Strengthening prevention mechanisms for sexual violence, incorporating protection measures, and guaranteeing survivors have access to comprehensive support services such as medical care, psychosocial counseling, and legal assistance.
Promoting women’s economic and political empowerment and ensuring their full participation in peace negotiations and decision-making processes.