Prostitutes Khartoum
Khartoum faces a severe crisis of violence against women and girls. Documented cases show widespread sexual violence occurring within the city. This situation persists despite Khartoum’s relative wealth, which paradoxically attracts vulnerable women and girls seeking opportunity from South Sudan, Kenya, Congo, Uganda, and other parts of Sudan itself. Many displaced women face exploitation. Reports indicate some girls are forced into prostitution, sometimes running brothels. Organized crime networks engage families in prostitution rings.
Systemic Failures and Targeted Violence
Khartoum is not safe for women. The Public Order Act of 1998 has been used to target women, including cases where Christian women were fined for “obscene outfits.” Societal stigma and legal frameworks often fail to protect victims, treating them as criminals instead. Engaging families in prostitution is a crime, yet it persists within society. Conflict exacerbates the danger. Since the outbreak of civil war, both warring parties have been accused of committing numerous acts of sexual violence in Khartoum. Airstrikes in busy markets have killed women and children. Health services for returning women and girls are critically needed but often lacking.
Vulnerability and Resistance Efforts
Refugee populations, particularly Eritrean and Ethiopian girls and women in Khartoum, face specific risks. Their migratory trajectories often leave them exposed to trafficking and abuse. Economic hardship pushes many into informal or dangerous work, like street vending or sex work, increasing their vulnerability to violence and police harassment. Despite these challenges, efforts to support women exist. Initiatives like cash transfers to women-led community organizations aim for empowerment. Groups like Alintibaha monitor vulnerable girls. Safety training workshops for women journalists have been organized. Documentaries like “Khartoum Offside” highlight the struggles and enthusiasm of Sudanese girls and women, particularly in sports like football, challenging societal norms. The situation demands urgent attention. Perpetrators of sexual violence in Khartoum operate with impunity. Women are not collateral damage; they are targeted individuals whose rights to safety and dignity are systematically violated. Protecting them requires dismantling harmful laws, challenging societal stigma, and ensuring accountability for all forms of violence.
*TAGS* – sexual violence impunity, displaced women exploitation, Public Order Act abuse
