Sudan’s communication shutdown exposes women to increased vulnerability

February 23, 2024 (PORT SUDAN) – A two-week communications blackout in Sudan is crippling women’s groups’ efforts to aid war victims and raising fears of increased violence, sexual assault, and hunger. Women, especially in conflict zones, are disproportionately affected due to their dependence on digital tools for financial aid, basic needs, and healthcare access.

The internet blackout cut off life-saving financial aid sent by loved ones abroad.  Also, emergency kitchens and relief centres in conflict zones, which are crucial for thousands facing hunger, are teetering on the brink of closure due to severed communication lines.

The Horn of Africa Women’s Network (SIHA) and the Together Against Rape and Violence Initiative condemned the shutdown, calling it a “crime” and an “increasing threat” to women’s rights. Both organizations highlighted the crucial role of communication in accessing financial aid, reporting abuse, and providing essential services like healthcare and psychological support.

“This communication blackout is a new form of violence against women,” declared SIHA, in a scathing statement. “It hinders access to financial aid, basic goods, and healthcare, pushing many deeper into crisis,” stressed SIHA which issued two statements on the internet shutdown.

The blackout’s impact is multifaceted. Women’s organizations like “Together Against Rape and Violence” warn of increased vulnerability to sexual violence without the ability to report incidents or access support. Additionally, the shutdown disrupts financial aid transfers sent by relatives abroad and local organizations, leaving thousands, particularly female-headed households, struggling to survive.

Victims of sexual violence are left without a lifeline as the internet blackout silences their pleas for psychological and legal support.

“We rely on mobile apps for aid delivery,” explains Fatima Mustafa, an activist with the Zainab Organization for Women’s Development. “Without communication, in-kind goods distribution is stalled, putting children and women at risk of hunger and disease.”

The psychological toll is equally devastating. Habab al-Nil, an activist residing abroad, describes the blackout as “torture.” “I’m consumed by worry, imagining the worst for my family,” she shares. “Not knowing their fate, unable to send them money they desperately need – it’s unbearable.”

Women’s groups demand immediate action. They urge the warring parties to restore communications, hold those responsible accountable, and call upon the international community to offer alternative communication solutions and ensure humanitarian aid reaches those in need.

This crisis underscores the critical role of communication in conflict zones. By silencing women’s voices and disrupting their vital work, the blackout exacerbates suffering and undermines peacebuilding efforts. The world must act now to restore communication and empower women to lead the way towards a brighter future for Sudan.

(ST)