Hundreds of girls in Sudan’s conflict zones have been transformed from young people seeking education and a better future into victims of circumstances they never chose. Forced marriage has been increasing as a result of the war, driven by social factors including attempts to protect girls from sexual violence and abduction in areas affected by insecurity.
Amid these conditions, suicide cases among girls in Darfur and Kordofan states have reportedly increased following forced marriages, along with growing psychological pressure and an inability to cope with harsh living conditions, causing many marital experiences to end in tragedy.
Tragedy of Two Sisters
In the Darfur region, dozens of girls have left school because of early marriage and have been burdened with responsibilities beyond their capacity. They also face health risks and various forms of violence, leading in some cases to devastating consequences, including suicide.
In Abu Karinka, East Darfur State, a 17-year-old girl died after ingesting a toxic substance, while her younger sister was rushed to hospital in critical condition.
Doctors in the area said the victim arrived at the hospital with no vital signs after consuming a pesticide commonly used to preserve agricultural crops. They confirmed that her sister received emergency treatment that saved her life. A medical report indicated that the death resulted from poisoning caused by a lethal toxic substance.
A relative of the two girls said their father had decided to marry them off despite their objections and deprivation of their right to choose. He noted that deteriorating humanitarian and living conditions, the collapse of education in conflict areas, and the search for protection have led some parents to marry off their daughters at a young age in an attempt to shield them from abuse.
A Shocking Incident
The East Darfur case was not the last. According to doctors and volunteers in conflict-affected areas, five similar cases were recorded in West Kordofan and eight in South Kordofan during 2025.
Mariam, one of the victims of child marriage linked to the war, spoke sorrowfully about her experience:
«“My father encouraged me to marry a family acquaintance when I was only 14 years old. The marriage took place in March 2025 in a village in Al-Qoz locality, South Kordofan, and I moved to a distant area.”»
She explained that her family convinced her that the difficult circumstances left no alternative, arguing that marriage would provide protection amid increasing conflict-related violence. Her father had also lost his livelihood in farming and herding, and the family’s savings had been exhausted.
Mariam said that over time she experienced numerous problems with her husband’s family and was subjected to repeated physical abuse. She reported attempting to take her own life several times but was saved by her sister-in-law, who works as a nurse.
She added:
«“Given the harsh life I am living now, I fear even worse consequences in the future. If the violence continues, I see no other option.”»
Pressure and Risks
Another case occurred in Karmali, South Kordofan, where 15-year-old Hasna attempted to end her life after being forced to marry a man 30 years older than her. She severely injured herself and was rescued after being rushed to hospital.
The survivor said she later fled to El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, to live with her sister because she believed her father and husband would have difficulty reaching the city during the ongoing conflict.
Hasna noted that child marriage rates have risen significantly in conflict areas, particularly after the first year of the war. Many parents fear their daughters could be kidnapped or subjected to sexual violence by armed groups operating in the Kordofan region.
She added that suicide attempts among girls have increased noticeably due to the psychological and social pressures associated with early marriage, yet many rural communities continue to support the practice.
Lack of Protection
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), 34 percent of girls in Sudan are married before adulthood, while 12 percent marry before the age of 15. Contributing factors include displacement, family breakdown, and worsening economic conditions.
Human rights organizations argue that weak law enforcement in areas controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has contributed to increased violations against women and girls.
Community activist Hanaa Al-Mahdi said:
«“Child marriage is increasing because of the ongoing war, the absence of legal protection in conflict zones, families’ inability to meet girls’ needs, school closures, and the loss of motivation to continue education.”»
She explained that the pressures associated with marriage at a young age have intensified the suffering of adolescent girls, to the point that some view suicide as an escape from a reality imposed upon them without consent.
Al-Mahdi stressed that forced marriage is not merely a violation of girls’ rights but also a severe psychological burden that can leave them feeling powerless and hopeless, especially in rural areas where freedom of choice and psychological support are largely absent.
She added that the growing number of suicide cases linked to this phenomenon reflects the silent suffering of girls who find themselves facing a predetermined future without adequate protection or opportunities to express their refusal.
Deprivation and Hardship
Social researcher Salma Al-Maghribi described child marriage as a crime from humanitarian, social, and human rights perspectives. She argued that the consequences of war have contributed significantly to the rise in underage marriages, particularly in conflict-affected cities and regions where education has been disrupted since the outbreak of war.
She pointed out that some rural communities traditionally encourage the marriage of young girls, especially amid worsening economic conditions, the collapse of farming and pastoral livelihoods, and fears of abduction or sexual violence by armed groups.
Al-Maghribi noted that thousands of girls have been deprived of their right to education and the freedom to choose their life partners. Many marriages take place outside formal courts and rely solely on religious marriage contracts, contributing to high divorce rates among young, uneducated brides from poor families.
She concluded that marriage during childhood deepens Sudan’s social challenges, as adolescent girls are often unable to bear the responsibilities of married life or adapt to family pressures and recurring conflicts within the household.
