Introduction
In the context of the 25th anniversary of the landmark United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security, it is crucial to reflect on its implementation, especially in conflict-prone regions in parts of Africa. Adopted on 31 October 2000, the UNSCR 1325 emphasises the essential role of women in conflict prevention, resolution, peacekeeping, and post-conflict reconstruction. It advocates for women’s equal participation in all peace and security efforts and highlights the importance of implementing measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence in conflict zones.
Since its adoption, the United Nations (UN) has expanded the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda and various related strategic initiatives. However, prolonged conflicts in countries such as Sudan underscore persistent challenges and highlight the need for stronger implementation of the WPS framework in conflict-ridden regions. On March 2020 Sudan adopted its first National Action Plan for the period 2020 – 2022, which outlines three main objectives: first, to actively engage women in peacebuilding, peacekeeping, peace negotiations, and decision-making processes across all levels, including relief, reconstruction, and development; second, to promote the recognition of women’s rights before, during and after conflict; and third, to ensure the protection of women from gender-based violence while addressing impunity. Conflict and the lack of effective governance structures have made the implementation of UNSCR 1325 difficult.
A key issue is the lack of access to and control over land and other economic resources, which significantly contributes to the inequality, food insecurity and vulnerability faced by women and children.
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This paper highlights the crucial issue of food insecurity and its impact on women and children in Sudan which is driven by complex factors including conflict, governance instability, displacement, and climate change, with a particular focus on women and children. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in their “Hunger Hotspots: FAO-WFP early warning on acute food insecurity, June to October 2024 outlook”, raised alarms about worsening food insecurity in 18 hungry hotspots, particularly, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. This situation is further exacerbated by armed conflict and the activity of non-state armed groups, leading to catastrophic conditions for affected people, women and children in particular.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan and related challenges has created a dire humanitarian crisis, disproportionately affecting women and children. The absence of stable governance and continued instability has obstructed efforts to promote women’s participation in peacebuilding and ensure their protection from gender-based violence, underscoring the need for a more robust and coordinated action plan. Despite the adoption of Sudan’s National Action Plan for WPS, the lack of effective governance and persistent conflict has hindered meaningful progress in implementing UNSCR 1325.
Gendered dimension of food insecurity in Sudan
In July 2019, Sudan’s Transitional Military Council and the Forces of Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition reached a fragile power-sharing agreement to guide the country through a 39-month transition towards a democratically elected government. This move, supported by a constitutional declaration, induced measures to bolster reforms and prevent authoritarianism. Despite efforts by the Transitional Government of Sudan, civil society, rebel groups, and international partners, the coup on 25 October 2021, following a failed attempt in September, resulted in the dissolution of parliament and the imposition of a state of emergency. Since then, Sudan has been plagued by ongoing conflict.
This instability has compounded existing challenges in understanding and addressing the gendered drivers, risks, and impacts of food insecurity. Insufficient data, coupled with Sudan’s vast geologic and socioeconomic diversity, further complicate efforts to gain insight into these issues. However, available information highlights the urgency of addressing the specific needs of women and children in the context of the ongoing food crisis. There is a broad consensus that the crisis in Sudan is not only prolonged and complex but also deeply gendered, with significant implications for gender equality and food security outcomes.
The gendered risks associated with food insecurity manifest in various alarming ways, including limited access to education, sexual and reproductive health (SRH) rights, and restrictions on women’s agency and participation. The crisis has also led to a dramatic increase in different forms of gender-based violence (GBV). Despite women’s crucial role in food production, longstanding gender inequalities and harmful social norms remain deeply rooted in Sudan. These inequalities have limited women’s time, agency and overall contribution to the food system, further exacerbating food insecurity in these regions.
A key issue is the lack of access to and control over land and other economic resources, which significantly contributes to the inequality, food insecurity and vulnerability faced by women and children. Women in Sudan are heavily dependent on natural resources, including land, for their livelihoods – whether it is agricultural production, rearing animals, or building homes. Yet, despite their central role in land use, women often do not have equal rights to land ownership. Securing land ownership is not only a vital aspect of gender equality but also an important factor in enhancing women’s economic standing. Studies indicate that as women acquire assets such as land, their bargaining power increases, enabling them to take a more active role in production and consumption decisions. This, in turn, often leads to improved food security within their households.
As such, a gendered dimension of food insecurity requires urgent and targeted actions, including empowerment through equitable access to resources, promoting their participation in decision-making and dismantling harmful social norms. Doing so, will not only improve food security outcomes but also advance gender equality, ensuring that the needs of women and girls are at the forefront of crisis response efforts.
Sudan is grappling with a humanitarian crisis of immense proportion, with children bearing the brunt of severe food insecurity and displacement.
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The dire impact of food insecurity on children in Sudan
Sudan is grappling with a humanitarian crisis of immense proportion, with children bearing the brunt of severe food insecurity and displacement. The interplay of conflict, economic hardship and systemic instability has created dire conditions that jeopardise the well-being and future of millions of children. According to UNICEF, over 24.7 million people, including nearly 14 million children, representing 50 percent of the total population, are in need of humanitarian assistance. Sudan is experiencing the world’s largest child displacement crisis, with more than 4.6 million children forced to flee their homes since April 2023. Nearly 1 million of these children have crossed borders, primarily in Chad, Egypt and South Sudan. Additionally, an estimated 13 million children are severely food insecure.
In a statement, the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (CRC) highlighted the dire condition facing children in Sudan, marked by severe food and water shortage. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reports that 3.7 million children are acutely malnourished, including 730,000 suffering from severe acute malnutrition. This crisis is compounded by the collapse of healthcare services, with two-thirds of Sudanese lacking access after 70-80% of hospitals shut down due to critical shortages of medical supplies.
Therefore, the severe impact of food insecurity on children in Sudan requires coordinated and urgent action from local and international stakeholders. The implementation of sustainable solutions that prioritise children’s access to nutrition, education, and healthcare, while also considering gendered dimensions, is essential. Empowering communities, promoting equitable resource distribution, and dismantling harmful social norms can pave the way for meaningful progress. By acting decisively, the international community can support Sudan in mitigating the crisis and securing a better future for its children.
Conclusion
The impact of conflict on women and children in Sudan highlights the urgent need to strengthen the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and the broader Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda. While significant strides have been made globally to integrate gender considerations into peace and security frameworks, the situation in Sudan underscores persistent gaps and challenges. The compounded effects of conflict, governance instability, displacement, and climate change have created dire conditions, exacerbated food insecurity and disproportionately affected women and children.
Despite National Action Plans and various static efforts aimed at bolstering women’s participation in peacebuilding, the ongoing crisis highlights the critical need for more robust and effective measures. Therefore, addressing these challenges requires not only reinforcing mechanisms that support women’s engagement in decision-making processes but also ensuring their protection from gender-based violence and enhancing their access to resources and rights.
Michlene Mongae is a researcher and MA candidate in Military Strategy at the University of Stellenbosch.
