Sudan Media Forum
By Malak Balla
KHARTOUM, July 19, 2025 (Female Journalists Network) – Since war erupted in Sudan on April 15, 2023, women from all backgrounds have faced a cascade of violations. Chief among them is the rise of systematic hate speech, a pernicious weapon used to tarnish their reputations and sideline their role in public and digital life.
Amid the conflict, online campaigns have become a lethal tool, driven by organized groups operating in secretive forums to spread disinformation and incitement. Their primary targets are women activists influential in politics, media, and civil society. These women are subjected to methodical smear campaigns and denied their full rights as citizens, often for no other reason than expressing anti-war views or engaging in peace-building efforts.
A Campaign of Character Assassination
“Hate speech targeting women has dangerously complicated the entire Sudanese landscape,” says Nujood, a human rights defender. She explains that countless female politicians, feminists, and journalists have seen their reputations systematically destroyed on social media. The intense psychological pressure from these personal and professional attacks has forced many to withdraw entirely from public life.
Discrimination and Deliberate Exclusion
Journalist and human rights defender Mai Abdel Qader confirms that women activists face compounded threats. “Women have been singled out for discrimination and exclusion simply because of their political affiliation or their work in the media,” she states. “Some were even denied the right to renew their passports—a flagrant violation of their legal rights.”
Activist Mahasin Ateem adds that acute political polarization has fuelled this wave of hate speech, leading to the social and political marginalization of women. “This erodes their sense of security,” she notes, “taking a severe toll on their mental health and personal safety.”
To combat this, Mahasin calls for a multi-pronged approach: robust public awareness campaigns, legal support for survivors, and a media dedicated to promoting a culture of tolerance. Nujood agrees, stressing the need for a positive counter-narrative that champions women’s role in peace-building, alongside strong legislation to combat digital violence.
“War Feeds Hate”
“War feeds hate speech,” Mai Abdel Qader concludes, “and the state itself sometimes enables it through unjust laws. We must stand together, women and men, to fight this rhetoric before it shatters our social fabric.”
Activists Reem Mohamed Hussein and Tayseer Saleh note that while hate speech is not new to Sudan, the war has amplified it to terrifying levels. They point to a particularly damaging outcome: a rift within the women’s community itself, with some factions aligning with the warring parties. They believe the arts—theatre, drama, and music—can be a powerful medium for curbing this divisive rhetoric.
The Broader Impact
The war’s toll is both physical and psychological, Mahasin Ateem explains. “Women are constantly vulnerable to physical and sexual violence, which leaves them susceptible to depression, anxiety, and chronic fear.”
The conflict has also upended women’s societal roles. With husbands and fathers lost to the war, many women have become the sole providers for their families, adding an immense economic burden to their trauma.
“To recover, women urgently need comprehensive psychosocial and medical support,” Mahasin says. “We must focus on rebuilding not just our infrastructure, but our communities, by empowering women to reclaim their roles in social and economic life.”
This report, prepared by the Female Journalists Network, is being published by the Sudan Media Forum to sound the alarm on the rampant hate speech and digital violence targeting women. The crisis described by those interviewed threatens the future of Sudanese society and demands an urgent response. (An accompanying video is available).
