Key facts
- Children born in Sudan's conflict zones, particularly as a result of sexual violence, are unable to obtain legal identity.
- The collapse of civil services and social stigma surrounding rape make birth registration extremely difficult.
- Amira, a 17-year-old, gave birth to a child conceived during her abduction and rape by RSF members.
- Without a father's details, the child cannot be vaccinated, enrolled in school, or access other essential services.
- Sudanese law permits registration of children born outside marriage, but requires mothers to report sexual assaults, a step often hindered by stigma and fear.
Tens of thousands of children born in Sudan's ongoing civil war are being denied legal identities, leaving them vulnerable and without access to fundamental rights. Amira, a 17-year-old, recounts her harrowing experience of abduction and rape by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in el-Fasher, which led to her pregnancy. After escaping captivity and giving birth, she faces the insurmountable challenge of registering her son's birth without any details of the father, a situation exacerbated by the collapse of civil services and the deep social stigma surrounding sexual violence.
According to aid organizations like the Nada Al-Azhar Foundation, Amira's story is not isolated. Many children are born in complex circumstances, often without the father's presence or knowledge, making registration nearly impossible. Abu Bakr Yousif Yaqoub, Nada's director of protection programs, explains that identity information and a national number are required for registration, which becomes extremely difficult when the father is absent or unknown, and the mother is often a child herself.
Shaza Ahmed, Nada's director general, highlights that social stigma prevents the accurate recording of births resulting from rape, with most mothers being minors who cannot officially report assaults without a guardian. This leads to a generation facing stigma, danger, and a lack of respect and protection. While Sudanese law allows for the registration of children born outside marriage, the process relies on mothers reporting assaults, a step many are unwilling to take.
Lawyer Majida Idris points out that the ongoing conflict has led to the shutdown of civil registry offices, particularly in regions like Darfur, leaving thousands of children unregistered. This lack of documentation denies children access to education, healthcare, and legal recognition. Idris stresses the urgency of reactivating civil registry offices and intensifying legal efforts to ensure children's right to identity.