As the conflict in Sudan continues to rage on for nearly three months, top United Nations officials have expressed their shock at the increasing sexual violence against women and girls in the country. The UN's human rights office in Sudan has reported 21 incidents of conflict-related sexual violence against at least 57 women and girls since the conflict erupted on April 15. The joint statement from UN agencies released on Wednesday stated that “in one case, as many as 20 women were reportedly raped in the same attack.”

Martin Griffiths, the UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, condemned the reports of sexual violence, calling it “unconscionable” that women and children whose lives have been upended by the war would be “further traumatized in this way.” He added that “what we are witnessing in Sudan is not just a humanitarian crisis; it is a crisis of humanity.”

The heads of the UN agencies have demanded an immediate end to sexual violence as a tactic of war and have called for thorough and independent investigations into all alleged violations and abuses in order to hold perpetrators accountable. Human rights chief Volker Turk has also urged for zero tolerance of sexual violence and to provide medical and psychosocial support to those affected.

The crisis of sexual violence in Sudan was already a major issue even before the conflict began, with more than 3 million women and girls estimated to be at risk of gender-based violence. This figure has since risen to an estimated 4.2 million people, according to the UN. The UN agencies have released a joint statement on the situation in Sudan, emphasizing the need for an end to sexual violence and urging for independent investigations into violations and abuses of human rights.

They have also called for the world to take action to prevent further harm to women and girls in the country. Martin Griffiths, the UN Undersecretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, said that what is happening in Sudan is “not just a humanitarian crisis; it is a crisis of humanity.” He has urged for the world to rise up to protect the rights of women and girls in the country, and to provide them with medical and psychosocial support.

The situation in Sudan is dire, with thousands dead, millions displaced, and an ever-growing risk of sexual violence. The UN and its agencies are continuing to call for an end to the conflict and for independent investigations to be conducted in order to bring perpetrators to justice. In the meantime, it is crucial that the world takes action to protect the rights of women and girls in Sudan and provide them with the support they need to recover from the devastating effects of war.