Sexual violence is a severe issue in Somalia and Somaliland, with many cases unreported or unaddressed. A recent incident involved a 13-year-old girl being attacked by multiple men, exemplifying the widespread problem. The impact of such violence includes health issues, unwanted pregnancies, isolation, stigmatization, and severe psychological trauma, sometimes leading to suicide.
This briefing paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the legal frameworks addressing sexual violence in Somalia and Somaliland. It also seeks to shed light on existing laws and the processes undertaken by the respective governments to address sexual offenses legislatively. The paper highlights the inherent challenges within the judicial structures of both regions,
This research documents and analyzes feminist initiatives in Sudan, focusing on the experiences of women in grassroots efforts amid conflict, violence, and displacement. Using a qualitative approach, including remote interviews, focus groups, and literature reviews, the study highlights how these women’s groups address needs
This research paper highlights the roles and resilience of grassroots women’s groups in Sudan amid ongoing conflict. It focuses on the economic impact of looting, particularly in Khartoum, analyzing how it affects women differently based on factors like age, ethnicity, and socio-economic status
We are excited to share our 2022 Annual Report!
Despite it being a difficult year for women’s rights organizations worldwide due to COVID-19-related economic shifts and political instability in the Greater Horn of Africa, our efforts made significant impact. We reached over 26,610 beneficiaries and enhanced the skills of 3,154 grassroots women and human rights advocates. Our support to 31 partners helped strengthen
This report underscores the dire circumstances faced by Sudanese women amid the ongoing crisis, particularly emphasizing the deliberate use of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This tactic, coupled with additional atrocities such as looting, torture, forced disappearances, and other forms of
The Sudan conflict isn’t just affecting its citizens, Ethiopian and Eritrean refugees are bearing the brunt too! For decades, Sudan hosted refugees fleeing conflict and persecution from their countries, including over 125,000 Eritreans and 69,500 Ethiopians.
We recently published a report that presents the findings of a Gender, Conflict, and Power Analysis study conducted in Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan.
The study describes the backdrop against which interventions on the Women, Peace, and Security agenda operate and seeks to identify
The “Feminist Peace and Solidarity Conference: Women Leading Peace” was a significant event organized by the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network from November 22-23, 2023. The conference focused on Sudan’s crisis through a feminist lens, highlighting women’s roles in peacebuilding and conflict ..,
On December 18th, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) invaded Gezira State and initiated a new phase of the ongoing conflict. Unlike in Khartoum, where upon outbreak of the war, active combat was initiated between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) within residential neighbourhoods, in Gezira the RSF entered the state swiftly and without much resistance or combat with the SAF, whose forces had quickly withdrawn from the region. While active combat was minimal in the state
