Sudan: Women protest against 'rape by security forces'

 Hundreds of women marched in Omdurman, a city in Sudan, and Khartoum State on Thursday. The women gathered there to protest against sexual violence in response to allegations that 13 women were raped during anti-military rule protests, that were held earlier in the week. The protests hit other Sudanese cities as well. 

Women's groups organized the protest on Thursday. It was supported by neighborhood resistance committees and political parties. Activist Walaa Abdelaziz said that they (military) use rape to scare them and prevent them from protesting. She further added, “ We will not stop, we will not be afraid.” Another activist named Amira Gomaa also protested against the military. She said, “This protest proves that we will not be broken no matter what.” Reportedly, some of the protesters beat drums, while other protestors chanted, "The military belongs in the barracks, and the streets are full of women."

United Nations received reports from Sudan

The UN (United Nations) also confirmed it had received "disturbing reports" from Sudan that security force members sexually abused women at the protest against the military. Suleima Ishaq, director of the Combating Violence Against Women Unit, said that the group also received reports from Sudan. The group gave medical help to eight rape victims. The director described the assaults as "systematic." Those eight women were suffering because of the situation in Sudan. 

Protest in Sudan

The protest drew thousands of people to the capital Khartoum to protest against a military coup. Two people were also reportedly killed during Sunday's protest. Reportedly, the US (United States) and other Western countries criticized the use of sexual violence "to drive women away" from protests. The European Union and the UK (United Kingdom) also slammed the incident. In a statement, the EU and the UK demanded justice for the victims. However, Sudan’s military and police have not yet commented on the incident.