Sudanese women who sought safety in Egypt after fleeing their country's civil war are reportedly facing increasing levels of sexual exploitation. Single mothers are among those said to be forced into sex work to provide for their children.
Many of these women had not worked in Sudan, where societal norms typically assign financial responsibility to men. With husbands and other family members dead or missing, and lacking established professions, female refugees are struggling to afford basic necessities like food, medical care, and rent.
Aid workers, refugees, and medical professionals have indicated that a lack of access to healthcare, education, and food has exacerbated the desperate situation for Sudanese women in Egypt. The civil war in Sudan has led to the world's largest displacement crisis, with over 4.5 million people seeking refuge in neighbouring countries, including an estimated 1.5 million in Egypt.
A funding shortfall at the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the dismantling of USAID support have left thousands of refugees with limited resources. Unable to work legally and often living in unsafe areas, women are particularly vulnerable. One refugee outreach group in Cairo reports that 90% of Sudanese women in a low-rent neighbourhood have experienced sexual exploitation.
Even women with professional qualifications struggle to find legal employment, often resorting to informal factory work or domestic labour where sexual assault is reportedly common. Sex work has become a last resort for some women attempting to escape severe poverty. Medical professionals in Cairo report treating at least 10 women weekly for issues related to sexual exploitation or sex work, with many seeking abortions for unwanted pregnancies.