33 Countries of Origin’ Profiles

SUDAN 5 travel unchaperoned by their husbands. Moreover, risks associated with sexual violence restrict women’s freedom of movement, particularly in Darfur. Although women can own assets, it is almost impossible for them to manage such assets freely. Women can vote and stand for election, and 25% of seats in the lower house of parliament are reserved for women. Women are entitled to equal pay by law, but are not allowed to work at night (between 10 pm and 6 am) with the exception of several women employed in administration, health and other. Muslim men can prohibit their spouses from being employed outside the marital home 12 . GBV: In Sudan, domestic violence and sexual harassment are not criminalised. Moreover, there is no provision on marital rape within the Criminal Code. Sudan has recently amended section 149 of its Criminal Act (1991) to more clearly define rape 13 . In the past, rape was often confused with adultery, due to discriminatory legal provisions disproportionately affecting women. In fact, women were required to present four male witnesses in order to prove rape allegations. Death by stoning (for married men and women) and 100 lashes (for unmarried men and women) are the punishments established under the Sudanese Criminal Code for adultery. Hence, until recently, the law put women victims of rape at risk of corporal punishment or death. Despite recent amendments distinguishing rape from adultery, women are still afraid of speaking up and reporting crimes 14 . In the course of the conflict, women, particularly Darfuri women, have been subjected to sexual violence, including rape, attempted rape, abduction for the purposes of sexual exploitation, indecent assault, sexual humiliation and serious injuries or killings by state and non-state actors 15 . The Sudanese armed forces were accused of a mass rape of some 200 women and girls in Tabit, north-east of El Fasher, North Darfur in 2014. However, in Sudan police and soldiers are granted immunity for crimes committed whilst in service. For this reason, most cases of rape and sexual violence are under-reported, and when they are reported, the authorities often do not take action. Victims usually highlight the absence of police; lack of trust in the authorities; or social stigma/ fear of reprisal as reasons for not reporting. There is widespread hostility towards LGBTIQ human rights organisations and individuals, who are often the target of discrimination and hate crime. FGM is not criminalised in Sudan and remains an established practice. In 2014 86.6% of women aged 15-49 reported having undergone some form of FGM. In Northern Sudan, it is estimated that 90% of girls are subjected to infibulation 16 . Circumcised girls are considered a better match for marriage; and girls are often peer-pressured into undergoing FGM 17 . 12 http://www.genderindex.org/country/sudan 13 http://www.genderindex.org/country/sudan 14 www.wluml.org/sites/wluml.org/files/Sudans_Revised_Penal_Code_Mixed_Picture_WLUML_2015_0.pdf 15 www.un.org/sexualviolenceinconflict/countries/sudan-darfur/ 16 FGM involving complete excision of the clitoris, labia minora, and most of the labia majora followed by stitching to close up most of the vagina 17 http://sudanconsortium.org/darfur_consortium_actions/reports/2015/Waging%20Peace%20Report%20- %20FGM%20in%20Sudan.pdf