By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
11 Million Sudanese Women, Girls Endure Worst Impact of Deepening Famine — UN Women Warns
The United Nations Women has sounded an alarm over the worsening hunger crisis in Sudan, warning that nearly 11 million women and girls are facing severe food insecurity as the country’s conflict continues to devastate lives.
“For more than two years, Sudan’s war has torn through the homes, livelihoods, and futures of women and girls,” said Anna Mutavati, UN Women’s Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, during a briefing in Geneva on Tuesday.
According to UN Women’s latest report on Gender Dimensions of Food Insecurity in Sudan, about 73.7 percent of Sudanese women “do not meet minimum dietary diversity,” highlighting widespread malnutrition and poor access to essential nutrition.
Mutavati described being a woman in Sudan as “a strong predictor of hunger,” noting that females continue to suffer disproportionately as violence and displacement intensify, particularly in Al Fasher and other parts of Darfur.
With famine now officially declared by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) in Al Fasher and Kadugli, the agency called for urgent humanitarian aid tailored to the needs of women and girls.
UN Women urged all warring factions to cease hostilities immediately, open safe humanitarian corridors, and prioritise food and livelihood support for women, especially those heading households.
Mutavati also appealed to humanitarian organisations to rebuild livelihoods destroyed by war and to protect women and girls under international humanitarian and human rights law.
Sudan remains gripped by a brutal power struggle between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023.
The fighting has killed tens of thousands, displaced millions, and pushed entire regions to the brink of famine.
In late October, the RSF seized Al Fasher, sparking fresh atrocities that drew condemnation from both local and international groups, who warned that the violence risks splitting Sudan along regional lines.
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