In brief
Fleeing from Sudan's civil war, women who venture into Libya in search of safety and opportunity often find themselves trapped in a cycle of violence and exploitation, facing abuse from traffickers and a lack of support.
In the silence of a phone call, Layla's voice trembles as she recounts her harrowing journey from Sudan to Libya. Fleeing the ravages of a civil war that erupted in April 2023, Layla sought safety with her husband and six children, only to find herself caught in a nightmare. After paying traffickers $350 for passage to Libya, their hopes of a better life quickly disintegrated when the traffickers held them hostage, demanding more money and inflicting violence upon her family."My son needed medical attention after he was hit repeatedly in the face,” she shared, highlighting the devastating reality many Sudanese refugees face. The traumatic experience did not end there; Layla's husband disappeared while searching for work, and her 19-year-old daughter was raped by an acquaintance who threatened further violence should she speak up. “My children don’t attend school, and we have barely any food," Layla lamented, capturing the despair of many in similar circumstances.The situation in Sudan has continued to deteriorate due to ongoing conflict between the army and the rapidly growing paramilitary forces, with over 12 million people displaced and widespread famine impacting half the population. More than 210,000 Sudanese refugees have sought refuge in Libya, a country rife with its own dangers.Salma, another refugee, painted a similarly grim picture. Her family's attempt to escape from the chaos in Sudan to Egypt resulted in a harsh reality—a "living hell" in Libya where traffickers held them captive in inhumane conditions. For nearly two months, Salma endured torture and sexual violence, reflecting the terrifying environment many refugees escape to. Her husband abandoned her after learning of her pregnancy due to rape, leaving her to fend for her children while living on the streets and scavenging for food.Other women shared their trauma as well. Jamila recounts the horrific fate of her daughters, who were raped when she sent them for a job, and her own nightmare of captivity and sexual abuse at the hands of a supposed employer. Despite attempting to seek help from authorities, she faced barriers, as police and government structures often compound the pain with indifference and lack of protection for refugees.Hanaa's story mirrored theirs as she described being abducted and raped. Even when brought to state-run facilities, her suffering continued, exacerbated by systemic abuse and neglect. Libyan officials, who often view refugees as illegal migrants, have been repeatedly accused of human rights violations, including torture and ill-treatment.Human rights organizations have documented the dire conditions in Libya for migrants, with reports of rampant sexual violence and exploitation rampant both in informal holding facilities run by traffickers and in official detention centers. Amnesty International and Médecins Sans Frontières have criticized the lack of oversight and protection for vulnerable populations, rendering them victims of a system designed to entrap rather than assist.As Salma now tries to rebuild her life in a new room shared with another family, the specter of eviction and further abuse looms large. The brutal treatment they receive in Libya reinforces the trauma of their pasts, and the fear of going back to Sudan remains palpable, yet she admits, “If only I had known what was awaiting me here.” The plight of these Sudanese women serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by refugees worldwide, forcing a reckoning with the failures of international protections and the desperate search for safety in times of conflict.
