The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network remains appalled by the Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) continuing campaign of genocide, ethnic targeting of indigenous African populations in North Darfur as a whole, and the perpetration of deep, systematic sexual violence against women and girls in El Fasher.
For the past decade, Ethiopia has been experiencing multiple layers of conflicts, which have resulted in severe levels of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). The 2018 political transition was followed by incidents of mob violence, communal conflicts, an armed insurgency in Oromia, and a full-fledged civil war in the Tigray region. Although the Tigray war ended with a peace agreement signed by the Ethiopian
Women’s Participation is a Blueprint for Sustainable Peace! Read More »
El Fasher city has been the host of thousands of internally displaced people from other parts of Darfur, as a result of ongoing violence in this troubled region, for the past 22 years. Its fall marks a significant escalation of atrocities due to a brutal campaign of attacks
Today, 24th September 2025, the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network, in partnership with the South Sudan Women Entrepreneurs Association (SSWEA) and women-led organizations in South Sudan, convened a consultative meeting at Pyramid Hotel, Juba, that brought together women street vendors, women-led organizations, private sector representatives, government officials, and development partners.
Despite the Ethiopian Constitution’s affirmation of gender equality and the existence of laws designed to protect women, violence against women continues to rise at an alarming rate. This crisis is perpetuated by distorted interpretations of religious teachings that justify harmful practices, alongside significant gaps in accountability and weak enforcement within the justice system.
Now more than ever, the dire situation concerning women and girls in Sudan cries out for the world’s immediate attention. The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network implores this Council to take decisive action against prevalent and systematic rates of conflict-related sexual violence, which are gripping the country, leveraged as a gendered weapon of war.
SIHA Network Oral Statement at The 60th Session of the Human Rights Council Read More »
The Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network strongly condemns the abduction and enforced disappearance of women and children by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and affiliated militia in and around El Fasher. Such conduct is a flagrant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
In this personal essay, Hala Alkarib talks about the documentation of sexual violence by military forces in Sudan.
Hala is the regional director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA Network). SIHA is a network of grassroots women’s groups throughout the greater Horn of Africa. Its primary focus is on addressing violence against women and girls and promoting justice and accountability for victims and survivors
A Lonely Road: Standing Up to Sexual Violence in Sudan Read More »
Women market vendors (WMVs) sustain households, feed communities, and power local economies, often as primary breadwinners and caregivers. Yet, the spaces that depend on their labour remain perilous and poorly governed.
Across nine (9) markets in Arua City, the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network’s recen
Unsafe and Unheard: Women Market Vendors Demand Social Protection and Economic Justice Read More »
To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council (Geneva, Switzerland)
Your Excellencies,
Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session (8 Sep¬tem¬ber-8 October 2025), we, the un¬der¬si¬gned civil society orga¬ni¬sa¬tions, write to urge your delegation to support a mandate extension for the Inde¬pen¬dent International Fact-Fin¬ding Mission (FFM) for the Sudan.
