On International Women’s Day: Sudanese Women – Resilience in the Face of War and the Struggle for Justice
“On International Women’s Day, we honor Sudanese women whose courage shines amid the horrors of war. They bear unimaginable suffering, yet stand resilient against injustice, fighting for dignity, rights, and peace. Empowering women is not optional-it is a moral and historical imperative. True and lasting peace in Sudan can only be achieved when women lead, participate fully, and shape the future of their communities and their nation.”
On 8 March 2025, we raise our voices high to celebrate women across the world, especially Sudanese women, who face the horrors of war with remarkable courage. On this day, we reaffirm our commitment to defending women’s rights, championing their causes, and empowering them to play an active role in building a Sudan that enjoys peace, democracy, and justice.
This day comes amid the harsh reality faced by Sudanese women due to the ongoing and devastating war. Women have been among the greatest victims, bearing its heavy toll and catastrophic consequences. Sexual violence has been used as a weapon of this brutal war, affecting even girls as young as seven years old, in a flagrant violation of their humanity and fundamental rights. Sadly, survivors continue to suffer not only from trauma but also from the absence of justice and the denial of medical care, psychological, and social support, further deepening their suffering.
At the Nubian Center for Peace and Democracy, we strongly condemn these crimes targeting women and hold the warring parties fully responsible for protecting civilians, prosecuting perpetrators of sexual violence, and immediately ending the war to preserve the dignity and lives of women.
Sudanese women have paid the heaviest price in this war, with millions displaced and trapped in camps facing desperate conditions and a catastrophic humanitarian situation that demands urgent response and decisive measures to save the lives of women and innocent children.
On this day, we emphasize that recognizing the role of women is not a choice but a historical and moral obligation. At the Nubian Center for Peace and Democracy, we believe in women’s right to leadership and fair representation in all institutions, and we work to enhance their awareness and capacities to ensure their full and effective participation in shaping the country’s future. Just and sustainable peace cannot be achieved without their full participation, and we affirm that empowering women in politics, society, and the economy is essential to ending conflicts and achieving stability in Sudan.
We salute every Sudanese woman who has carried the banner of struggle, refused to submit, and stood against injustice. We call on the regional and international community, humanitarian organizations, and women’s and human rights movements to stand with Sudanese women and support them in facing the severe challenges that threaten their lives and future.
Nubian Center for Peace and Democracy
8 March 2025
