Systemic violence in Sudan: How war rapes target women to destabilize society
Original framing: “'Not my son's fault': The women bearing the children of Sudan's war rapes” — The Japan Times
Research from conflict studies and psychology shows that sexual violence in war is not random but a strategic tool used to destabilize communities. Scientific analysis also highlights the long-term mental health and reproductive health consequences for survivors.
The systemic use of sexual violence in Sudan is not an isolated tragedy but a calculated strategy to destabilize communities and erase cultural identity.
This violence is rooted in historical patterns of gender-based oppression and colonial legacies that continue to shape power dynamics in the region. A holistic response must include international legal accountability, support for local peacebuilding efforts, and a rethinking of how conflict is understood and addressed globally. Indigenous and cross-cultural perspectives offer valuable insights into restorative justice and community healing, while scientific and artistic approaches can help document and respond to trauma. Only by integrating these dimensions can we move toward a more just and sustainable peace.