A total of 39 displaced women and girls from Kalma camp in South Darfur, were the victims of rape during April and May 2014.

Almost all of the rapes occurred while the women were collecting firewood, or other essential tasks such as gathering hay, palm leaves, or tending crops.

The victims, aged from 13 to 38, all fell victim to armed ‘Janjaweed’ militiamen.

Saleh Issa, the Secretary General of Kalma camp told Radio Dabanga that there were 24 cases in April and 15 in May. “All the rapes were committed at gunpoint. In 16 cases, victims suffered three or four-hour gang-rape ordeals.”

Issa pointed out that since 2004, at least 300 children have been born of mothers impregnated by rape. “Several of these children have run away from the camp after discovering how they were conceived.”

He appealed to the international community and humanitarian organisations to find an alternative for wood collection, and access to means of livelihood for the displaced women in the camps.

“There is a need for income-generating projects such as women's centres where they can be trained, along with providing them with materials that help them work, earn a living and improve their living standards. This will reduce the number of rapes in all the camps in Darfur and neighbouring countries.”

Saleh pointed out that there is currently little organised support for rape victims after the government’s expulsion of the organisations in 2009.

File photo: Darfur women demanding justice. Their banner reads: “Rape victims demand immediate punishment for criminal Janjaweed”.

Reporting by Radio Dabanga

Related:

South Darfur’s Kalma camp registers 19 rape cases within 12 days (1 May 2014)