AFRICA/SUDAN - Defamation, discrimination, and exclusion of women: a culture of tolerance, respect, and equality is urgently needed

Khartoum (Agenzia Fides) - Women in Sudan, especially activists and protagonists in politics, the media, and civil society, are facing defamatory campaigns and demands for the withdrawal of full citizenship rights for speaking out against the war or attempting to contribute to the peace process. Behind these campaigns are organized groups dedicated to spreading disinformation and inciting hatred.

The investigation, released by a local broadcaster, states that since the outbreak of war in Sudan on April 15, 2023 (see Fides, 17/4/2023), women from all walks of life have faced growing challenges and numerous violations, in particular the systematic dissemination of hate speech, which has become a dangerous tool to distort their image and diminish their role in the public and digital space. "War fuels incitement to hatred, and the state itself sometimes supports this through unjust laws," the statement reads. "We must unite, women and men, before it becomes a weapon that threatens our common existence."

The spread of hate speech, meanwhile, undermines women's sense of security and has negative effects on their mental health and personal safety. Given this reality, it is necessary to strengthen community solidarity and emphasize the role of the media in spreading a culture of tolerance, respect, and equality. (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 7/8/2025)

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