UN: 84,000 Sudanese Women to Give Birth Under Dire Conditions
A UN official tells the touching story of a Sudanese woman who was raped.
Khartoum Highlight- The UNFPA Regional Director for Arab States, Laila Baker, said the agency and its partners are striving to provide lifesaving services for women and girls affected by the Sudan crisis. She stressed that around 84,000 pregnant women in Sudan are expected to deliver within three months under extremely challenging conditions. Baker noted: “As a woman, I wish to share their hope for that moment, but with understandable anxiety.” She emphasized that UNFPA is working tirelessly to ensure safe deliveries and humanitarian assistance for Sudanese women. Baker expressed concern over “the silence surrounding Sudan’s crisis, the world’s neglect, and failure to prioritize women’s health and safety.” She highlighted that women’s dignity in childbirth, self-care, family support, and access to safe healthcare are universal rights.
A Survivor’s Story
Baker shared the story of a Sudanese woman who endured rape and was too traumatized to speak, a clear case of gender-based violence. After a long silence, the woman whispered the word “raped” into Baker’s ear, her first time uttering it.
