A UNICEF report has revealed that more than 200 children, including boys as young as one year old, have been raped in Sudan since the beginning of 2024. The agency recorded at least 221 cases of child rape, with 66% of survivors being girls and the rest boys. Children as young as five years old were also reported to have been subjected to attempted rape.
The war in Sudan broke out in April 2023 between the military and its rival paramilitary forces, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement. At least 20,000 people have died, while over 14 million more have been forced from their homes due to famine and violence.
UNICEF has described the cases of rape as “war tactic” being used by armed men to violate international law and protect children. The agency is urging the Sudanese government and all parties to the conflict to respect their obligations to protect civilians, especially children.
Many victims have been left with physical injuries and serious psychological scars, including some who have attempted suicide. UNICEF spokesperson Tess Ingram notes that the cases of rape are just a small sample of what are undoubtedly hundreds more children who have been subjected to this abuse.
The agency is calling for immediate action to address the crisis, saying that incidents like these “should shock anyone to their core” and highlighting the need for protection for survivors and those providing services.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/4/more-than-200-children-some-as-young-as-one-raped-in-sudan-unicef-says