Sudan Faces Gendered Famine Crisis as Women Bear Brunt of Conflict and Hunger

As famine tightens its grip on Sudan, a new report by UN Women titled Gender Snapshot: Women, Food Insecurity, and Famine Risk in Sudan has exposed the deeply gendered nature of the country’s spiraling humanitarian crisis. The data paints a stark picture: female-headed households are three times more likely to suffer from severe food insecurity compared to male-headed ones, making Sudan’s food crisis not only a matter of survival—but a gender emergency.

Triple Burden on Female-Headed Households

According to the report, 75% of female-headed households in Sudan are unable to meet their basic food needs, and a mere 1.9% are food secure, compared to 5.9% of male-headed households. The situation has worsened dramatically in just one year, with severe food insecurity nearly doubling across the board.

Compounding the crisis is the lack of dietary diversity, particularly among women. The report notes that 73% of women nationally do not meet the minimum dietary diversity, a vital indicator for maternal and child health. The health consequences are devastating—especially for pregnant and breastfeeding women, who face increased risks of malnutrition-related complications.

“With conditions now at near famine thresholds in several regions, it is not just a food crisis—it is a gender emergency caused by a failure of gender-responsive action,” said Salvator Nkurunziza, UN Women Representative in Sudan.

Gender Inequality Amplified by Conflict

Sudan’s protracted war, now well into its second year, has displaced over 8 million people and caused the deaths of more than 60,000, according to UN estimates. As the war fractures families and tears apart communities, more women are becoming heads of households, often due to the death, disappearance, or forced recruitment of male relatives.

This structural shift has exposed them to heightened economic, social, and physical vulnerabilities. Many lack access to land, income-generating opportunities, legal documentation, or safety in accessing humanitarian assistance—particularly in conflict-affected regions like Darfur, Kordofan, and parts of Khartoum.

Women-Led Organizations on the Frontlines

Amid the collapse of basic infrastructure and humanitarian operations, Women-Led Organizations (WLOs) have become a lifeline for communities across Sudan. They operate food kitchens, distribute emergency aid, and support displaced women and children—often in the most remote and insecure areas.

However, these grassroots actors face chronic underfunding. One WLO, previously active in eight states, has been forced to shut down over half of its food kitchens due to lack of support.

“Women are not only victims of conflict; they are powerful agents of change,” said Nkurunziza. “WLOs are reaching last-mile communities and saving lives. Yet they remain underfunded and excluded from key decision-making spaces in humanitarian planning.”

UN Women’s Response and Urgent Call to Action

In response to the crisis, UN Women has stepped up its support for WLOs, offering technical assistance, capacity-building, and flexible funding. The organization is also advocating for the systematic inclusion of women’s voices in all aspects of the humanitarian response—from aid distribution to peace negotiations.

UN Women has issued an urgent appeal to international donors, humanitarian agencies, and governments to:

• Prioritize food assistance for female-headed households, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and adolescent girls.

• Fund women-led food support initiatives with flexible, direct, and predictable financing.

• Integrate WLOs into humanitarian decision-making structures at local, national, and international levels.

• Link food assistance to protection, including gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, women’s livelihoods, and psychosocial support.

This approach aligns with UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, which underscores the need for women’s full participation in peace processes and humanitarian efforts.

A Call for Peace and Inclusive Dialogue

Beyond immediate relief, UN Women reiterates its call for an end to hostilities and the resumption of inclusive peace negotiations. “There can be no durable peace without gender justice,” Nkurunziza stressed, noting that the protection of women and girls must be central to any future peace framework.

The Bigger Picture: A Feminized Humanitarian Crisis

The situation in Sudan reflects a global trend, where women and girls are disproportionately affected by crises—whether from conflict, climate shocks, or economic collapse. However, they are also uniquely positioned to lead recovery and resilience-building efforts, especially when empowered with resources and representation.

Sudan’s crisis demands a gender-responsive response—not just to meet urgent humanitarian needs, but to lay the foundation for a more just, inclusive, and resilient future. As famine looms and violence escalates, the world cannot afford to ignore the gendered dimensions of suffering—or the transformative potential of women-led solutions.