We have followed with deep concern the tragic events that have taken place in Forbranga locality, located approximately 185 kilometers south of El Geneina, the capital of West Darfur State, from April 10 until today, Wednesday. The number of victims has risen to more than 25 people, including two women, adding to the ongoing series of killings of women that continues to this day in Darfur. These events have also led to the displacement of large numbers of civilians, with women making up the largest proportion of those affected, living under extremely harsh humanitarian conditions.
At Women of Change Organization, we express our full condemnation and denunciation of the latest killing, as well as all crimes committed against civilians in Darfur with premeditation—particularly those targeting women. We also express our grave concern over the continued calm and silence surrounding such crimes. Silence in the face of these violations is a form of complicity. The persistence of killings and the spread of violence represent a blatant disregard for women’s rights, foremost among them the right to life, in addition to the already dire social and service-related conditions that impose compounded marginalization on women.
We affirm our position that responsibility for providing full protection to women from violence and killing is a collective societal responsibility, borne by all institutions of society. In light of these crimes, we—as a community and as individuals—must act urgently to raise our voices loudly against the killing of women, just as we do for other crimes. Our silence grants legitimacy to the killing of women and risks its escalation. Accordingly, we demand the following:
- Immediate disclosure of the circumstances surrounding the Forbranga events, the swift arrest of the perpetrators, and full transparency with the public.
- A unified and effective movement by women’s organizations, human rights groups, and all civil society organizations to exert pressure on all relevant actors to address these crimes.
- Concrete action at the official, legal, and judicial levels, including the adoption of comprehensive protection strategies for women.
Long live the will of free women.
No to the killing of women.
No to violence against women.
12 April 2023