Geneva , March 23(Darfur 24)United Nations experts expressed concern about increasing reports of trafficking in persons, especially women and girls, for the purposes of sexual exploitation, and the recruitment of children to participate in hostilities in Sudan.
The disruption of education since the outbreak of war and the allocation of many schools as temporary shelter centers for displaced people has led to the presence of millions of children outside the school walls, making them vulnerable to exploitation.
The United Nations experts said, in a statement obtained by “Darfur 24” on Saturday, that we are horrified by reports that women and children are being sold “in markets in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces and other armed groups, including North Darfur.”
Experts expressed concern about the increasing cases of child, early and forced marriage as a result of family separation, in addition to gender-based violence.
They added: “Despite previous warnings by both the Sudanese authorities and the Rapid Support Forces, we continue to receive reports of children being recruited to participate in the war.”
The experts called for the effective investigation of all violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law in Sudan.
The statement stated that the access of victims and survivors to support has deteriorated since December 2023, at a time when reports indicate the existence of trafficking in women and girls for the purposes of sexual slavery.
More than 14 million children need protection, education, water, sanitation, hygiene, health and nutrition services, while war has forced 3.7 million children to flee their homes in search of safety.