From Bosnia to Sudan: A Recurring Horror – Women as Targets in Conflict
El-Fasher, North Darfur – The recent seizure of El-Fasher by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in sudan has triggered a new wave of atrocities against civilians, with a particularly devastating impact on women. Reports from aid groups and the World Health Organization (WHO) detail widespread sexual violence, killings, and the intentional targeting of healthcare facilities, where at least 460 people have been killed. This echoes a grim pattern of conflict where women’s bodies are weaponized, a reality painfully familiar to survivors of past wars, including those in Bosnia.
The escalating violence in Sudan isn’t an isolated incident, but a stark reminder of a persistent and horrific trend: in times of war, women are disproportionately vulnerable to sexual violence and other forms of brutality. The situation in El-Fasher, where over 3,200 families have been forced to flee, highlights the urgent need for international attention and accountability for these crimes, and a reckoning with the ancient failures to protect women in conflict zones. The echoes of past atrocities, like those experienced in Foca, Bosnia, resonate deeply with the current suffering in Sudan, underscoring the cyclical nature of this violence and the enduring trauma inflicted upon survivors.
The parallels between the experiences of women in Bosnia and Sudan are striking. In the Bosnian War of the 1990s, systematic sexual violence was used as a weapon of war, particularly during the siege of Foca. Survivors, like Witness 87, bravely came forward to testify about the horrors they endured, contributing to landmark war crimes prosecutions. Her courage, and that of others, helped shift the landscape of international justice regarding conflict-related sexual violence.
Yet, decades later, the same horrors are being repeated in places like Sudan.Women are being forcibly displaced, subjected to sexual assault, and silenced by shame and fear. The international community’s response, or lack thereof, raises critical questions about the commitment to protecting women in conflict and holding perpetrators accountable. The silence surrounding these atrocities is deafening, reducing individual suffering to mere statistics.
The WHO reports that the attacks on healthcare facilities in El-Fasher further exacerbate the vulnerability of women,limiting access to essential medical care,including reproductive health services and support for survivors of sexual violence. This deliberate targeting of healthcare infrastructure is a violation of international humanitarian law and a direct assault on the well-being of the civilian population.
As the conflict in Sudan continues, the need for increased humanitarian aid, protection of civilians, and accountability for war crimes is paramount. The experiences of women in Bosnia serve as a powerful reminder that ignoring these crimes only perpetuates the cycle of violence and leaves lasting scars on individuals, communities, and future generations.
