The Social Impact of the Armed Conflicts on Displaced Woman Lives, North Kordofan, Sudan, (2014-2022).

The Social Impact of the Armed Conflicts on Displaced Woman Lives, North Kordofan, Sudan, (2014-2022).

Amna Elnour Ahmed¹, Abdelaziz El Amin Elsheikh^{2, *}Elmurtada Mohamedelbashier Abashar³

¹Center for Peace and Development Studies. University of Kordofan, 51111 El Obied, Sudan

²Faculty of Education, University of Kordofan, 51111 El Obied, Sudan.

³Ministry of Production and Economic Resources, North Kordofan State, Sudan.

*Corresponding Author

DOI: https://doi.org/10.51584/IJRIAS.2025.100800009

Received: 14 May 2025; Accepted: 05 August 2025; Published: 29 August 2025

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to identify the Social Impact of the Armed Conflicts on Displaced Woman Lives, during (2014-2022), Umrwaba and Elrahad Localities, North Kordofan State, Sudan. The study followed the Integrated Geographical Vision approach, the Social Survey approach and the Historical approach for discussing hypothesis, and questionnaire for collecting primary data, beside references, books, essays, articles and reports for completing information. The study sample is represented by (150) of displaced women from the targeted population. Statistic Package for Social Science Program (SPSS) version 16 is used for data analysis, through using the descriptive statistic tools (tables, figures and percentages). The study has reached different results as following: In the years (2011-2015) the study area has witnessed the biggest waves of displacement with (58.6%), due to the intensification of armed conflicts attacks, and the invasion of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) Abu korchoula area. Armed conflicts were considered as the main cause of displacement representing more than (80%) among the other causes. The results of the study revealed that, (100%) of respondents reported that, they have had influenced with social impacts, due to armed conflicts, (62.3%) of them noted that, the social impacts were including: effects on education, health, and social relationships of the displaced women lives. The social impacts on education of displaced women lives were including: The deterioration of educational level, dropping out of children from schools scored (47.2%), beside the lack of will for education, and that resulted in people passive vision towards education as an investment. These referred to the lack of institutions to teach children in displacement camps, it is also difficult to enroll children in the city’s schools, because of their low academic levels, and high cost of tuition. The social impacts on health of the displaced women lives were including: the lack of health services, increased treatment cost, and the deterioration of the health status, which represented (81.8%). The psychological pressure resulting from increased burden on women as the main breadwinners of the family, and their tireless efforts to provide food for their families. This suffering exacerbated by the lack of health services, and the high cost of treatment, that forced them to relay on the traditional treatment, that resulted in increasing the mortality rates, especially for elderly, children, and pregnant women. The social impacts on family’s relationships of the displaced women lives were including: Weakening family’s relationships, acquiring new relationships, changing the family’s structure represented (57.3%). (69.3%) of respondents reported that, they have missed a person from their families, the missing person could be the father, or son, or the husband, and that increased the burden on displaced women, because they have been playing the role of the household, beside their routine role as families’ housewives. These burdens could be expressed as follows: children support, practicing more than one job, increased psychiatric stress represented (90.7%), as well as bullying and acceptance

That, the displaced women are sometimes exposed to from the host community. Income usually from marginal work, due to lack of qualifications. The study recommended for the necessity of raising the awareness of displaced women regarding rural women’s issues, increasing the participation of displaced women in grass-roots institutions, Adopting an appropriate approach for the empowerment of rural and displaced women, capacity building of displaced women in problem analysis and planning, establishing special schools for displaced persons in their areas of residence, while providing resources and free education, Caring of health sector, particularly maternal and child health, by increasing the number of health centers and family planning centers, and improving the health environment, providing drugs, and expanding health insurance coverage .

Key Words: Armed Conflicts, Displacement, Social Impacts, North Kordofan, Sudan

INTRODUCTION

Many armed conflicts and wars that have caused death and marriage have overshadowed civilian and harmed them through torture ,rape and forced displacement .By the year 2019 (79.5) million people were forcibly displaced from all over the world , because of armed conflicts , the most on Amnesty International’s record over , and the Arab and African world have suffered the ravages of these armed conflicts that have affected many countries , including Syria, Iraq, Lebanon , Sudan , Yemen , Libya , Somalia, Nigeria, Rwanda ,Ethiopia and others. Sudan has been a powerful share of these conflicts, which have almost no geographical orientation without them: Eastern Sudan, Blue Nile, Darfur, and Southern Kordofan. Despite all the efforts made by governments to contain these conflicts, they have spiraled out of control and have been dismantled thousands of citizens and women have the most powerful burden of this. The Southern Sudan Civil War is the longest –running conflict in Sudan, and the most influential for political, economic, social and other aspects not only in Sudan, but also in neighboring countries (Gazafi .2021).

The Importance of the Study

1. Providing theoretical and practical frameworks on the effects of armed conflicts on displaced women.
2. The study area is an example of many areas affected by armed conflicts and their impacts on displaced women.
3. Attempting to fill the vast void in research and field studies relating to the impact of armed conflicts on displaced women.

The Study Problem

The armed conflicts in Sudan has a number of long-term economic and social effects, which accumulate over the years of war, destroying the livelihood systems of majority of the population, removing a large sector of the population from the production cycle, disrupting the fundamentals of the local economy and changing its rates. This affects macroeconomic indicators and composition of the country’s GNP. The social impacts of the armed conflicts are many, and the most important one is refugee, in which people left their homeland due to insecurity and lack of basic needs, services and others. Displacement is caused by the same causes, but it is a movement within the country in new communities with different characteristics. The displaced person may settle in their new homes for a period of years, and may settle permanently, as for the people of Southern Sudan, as results of being displaced by armed conflicts in their areas and settling in the localities of Umrwaba and Alrahad and in camps around the Sudanese capital Khartoum. Displacement due to armed conflicts is one of the biggest problems experienced by women through its impact in all aspects of life. Sudan is one of the most African countries that affected with armed conflicts beginning before independence and continuing through the successive political periods of government, and the study area is considered as one of the most indirectly affected areas with armed conflicts. Periods of community displacement varied, (2001-2015) represented (58.8%) representing the highest waves of displacement (SDA.2023).

The Study Questions

 The mains question of the study could be phrased as:

1. What are the main social impacts on displaced women lives, due to armed conflicts?
2. What are the major impacts on education and health of the displaced women lives in the study area , due to the armed conflicts?
3. Did changing in displaced women’s families structures, due to missing of a family member due to armed conflict, increased the burden on the displaced woman?

The Objectives of the Study:

The overall objective of the study is to examine armed conflicts and their impacts on displaced women from an economic perspective and to clarify facts about the current situation of displaced women. The sub- objectives including:

1. Identifying the economic impacts and their impacts on displaced women.
2. Evaluation of strategies used to improve the economic situation of displaced women.
3. Attempting to propose new strategies that could help ease the burden on displaced women.

Study Methodology

The study followed the geographical integrated vision approach, the social survey approach and the historical approach for discussing study hypothesis, and used data collection tools through questionnaire that targeted displaced women. The number of questionnaire is 150 from the sample study in Umrwaba and Elrahad localities, North Kordofan State. Data analyzed by using the Statistic Package for Social Science (SPSS) program, through the descriptive statistic tools (tables, figures, and percentages).

Previous Studies

Sulafa Abdel rahman Ahmed, Conflicts in African Continent, A case study Sudan, Unpublished paper for obtaining PhD degree, Khartoum University, 2005. The study aimed to identify conflicts as the most common phenomenon in international, regional, and local modes of interaction, where it was more competitive than conciliatory in dealing with interests in local environments. The study followed the descriptive and analytical approach, and concluded that, there was a relationship between the internal and external environments in fueling conflicts in the continent, it has also become clear that, most of the conflicts are the result of mismanagement of economic resources, or what is termed marginalization, the diversion of most resources to the Centre, and weak macroeconomic policies. All of that and others have highlighted the reality of violence as a means of obtaining rights, often based on the principle of race, and the way out is either to reengineer policies, or to develop governance and practice. The researcher from the study, hence it identify the root causes of conflicts, and presented a leaflet for solutions.

Sameer Ibrahim Hassan, Social Impacts of Wars and Armed Conflicts, Working paper, Arab League States Conference, 2007.The study examined the psychological and social impact of violation resulting from occupation and armed conflicts on women and children, resulting in a decrease in the situation of women in various economic, social, and health fields, which in turn is reflected in the psychology of women and children. If in the usual case there is discrimination against women, it will be double discrimination and suffering in situations of war and armed conflict within a country or in other country, and between the suffering of the child, and the suffering of the mother, due to his or her absence, accident or death. What women suffer as a result of war, will reflect on their children, depriving them of proper parental care, since the experiences of childhood are the basis for forming an adult personality, it is certain that, psychological and social development will be threatened and unsound. The study addressed the concrete facts of what happens in the Palestinian territories, Iraq and Lebanon. The researcher benefited from the study, because it revealed the numerous and different types of social burden that women and children have been suffering from due to war and armed conflicts especially in Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon.

Second Axis: The Theoretical Framework of the Study

Concept of Conflict

Conflict is defined as a conflict of interest between two or more parties , which leads the parties concerned to fail accepting the current status and trying to find to find alternatives , because groups and people adopt incompatible goals, the term is used for all violent aspects of conflict ,whether war or armed conflict (Abaid.2002), while (Saidi Mugalad.1996) goes away and referred to the use of the term conflict instead of dispute , and defined it comprehensively as : The struggle and its core is struggle of national wills. This conflict results from differences in motives, perceptions, objectives, and aspirations of States and in terms of their resources and capabilities, leading to decisions or policies leading to war or armed conflict.

Types of Conflicts

1. International Armed Conflicts.
2. Non- international Armed Conflicts
3. Internal Armed Conflicts that takes on an international character.

There are many other types of conflicts as:

1. Religious Conflicts
2. Political Conflicts
3. National Conflicts
4. Economic Conflict.

Reasons of Conflicts

According to (Abaid .2002), reasons behind conflicts including:

1. The conflict over natural resources and interests, due to an increase in population and a decrease in production rates.
2. The way of control and distribution of power and wealth.
3. The ideology and religion.
4. Arab identity and social conflicts.
5. Fear, poverty, and a pervasive culture of violence that has flourished, due to military – technological advances, and easy access to weapons.

Theories of Conflicts

The Theory Basic Needs: This theory is based on the assumption that, all human beings have basic needs that, they seek to satisfy, and that conflicts occur, and are exacerbated when one finds that one’s basic needs cannot be satisfied, and others undermine their fulfillment. Proponents of this theory distinguish between needs and requirements. Basic needs are irreplaceable, including: physical and intangible needs such as, food, housing, health, and all material needs. There are non- material needs such as: freedom, belonging, identity, and justice, according to this theory, conflicts occur when an individual or group feels their need is unsatisfied, so conflict resolution is an approach that seeks to satisfy these needs, and may be an extreme issue. Difficulty when individuals struggle over the same source to satisfy their needs.

Concept of Displacement

The displacement is an internal movement that is accompanied by additional burdens that often fall on vulnerable groups of women, children, and the elderly. Many regions of Sudan have been exposed to civil wars and armed conflicts, for example Darfur in 2003, and the South Sudan wars that lasted for years until the 2005 peace agreement was signed.

Third Axis: The Field Study

Study Community

The study community is represented by displaced women from South Kordofan Sate in displacement camps in Umrwaba and Alrahad localities, North Kordofan State.

Study Methodology

The study followed the geographical integrated vision approach, the social survey approach and the historical approach for discussing study hypothesis.

Data Collection Tools

The data collection tools were used through questionnaire.

Questionnaire Design

Questionnaire were designed after reviewed, and distributed to 150 displaced women in displacement camps in Umrwaba and Alrahad localities, North Kordofan State.

1. Dates of Displacement to the study area

Table (1): Date of displacement to the study area

Source (Field work. 2022)

Table (1) indicates that the periods (2011-2015) and (before 2000) have witnessed the biggest waves of displacement to the study area, hence they represented (58.6% and (24%) respectively, and this due to the intensification of the armed conflict and the invasion of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) Abu Korchoula area, the repeated attacks by Abdul Aziz Al-Hilu movement on seamount areas in the state of South Kordofan, according to the respondents.

2. 2. Reasons behind Displacement

Table (2): Reasons behind displacement

Source 🙁 field work. 2023)

Table (2) indicates that, the displacement of targeted communities was mainly due to armed conflicts and its effects on economic, social and political conditions according to respondents.

3. The Social Impacts on Displaced Women Lives due to Armed Conflicts

Table (3): Existence of Economic Impacts due to Armed Conflicts

Source (Field work.2023)

The results of the study revealed that, all respondents have negatively influenced by the social impacts due to armed conflicts.

4. Types of Social Impacts on Displaced Women Lives due to Armed Conflicts

Table (4): Types of Social Impacts on Displaced Women Lives due to Armed Conflicts

Source: (Field work.2023)

Table (4) shows that, a number of social impacts on displaced women lives, including impacts on education, health, and on social relationships, which together represented (62.3%).

5. The Social Impact on Education of Displaced Women Lives due to Armed Conflict

Table (5): The Social Impact on Education of Displaced Lives Women due to Armed Conflict

Source (Field work.2023)

Table (5) indicates that, the major educational effects on displaced women lives were, the deterioration of educational level, dropping out of children from schools together scored (47.2%), beside the lack of will for education, and that resulted in displaced people passive vision towards education as investment. These referred to the lack of institutions to teach children in displacement camps, it is also difficult to enroll children in the city’s schools, because of their low academic levels, and high cost of tuition, according to respondents.

6. The Social Impact on Health of Displaced Women Lives due to Armed Conflict

Table (6): The Social Impact on Health of Displaced Women Lives due to Armed Conflict

Source (Field work.2023)

Table (6) indicates that, there are many impacts on the health of the displaced women lives, the main one being, the lack of health services, increased treatment cost, and the deterioration of the health status, that are collectively represented (81.8%). The psychological pressure resulting from increased burden on women as the main breadwinners of the family, and their tireless efforts to provide food for their families. This suffering exacerbated by the lack of health services, and the high cost of treatment, that forced them to relay on the traditional treatment, that resulted in increasing in the mortality rates, especially for elderly, children, and pregnant women, according to respondents.

7. The Social Impact on Family’s Relationships of Displaced Women Lives due to Armed Conflict

Table (7): The Social Impact on Family’s Relationships of Displaced Women Lives due to Armed Conflict

Source: (Field work 2023)

Table (7) indicates that, the social impacts on family’s relationships of the displaced women lives including: Weakening family’s relationships, acquiring new relationships, changing the family’s structure, which are collectively represented (57.3%)

8. Missing a Member of Displaced Women Families’ due to Armed Conflicts

Table (8): Missing a Member of Displaced Women Families’ due to Armed Conflicts

Source (Field work.2023)

Table (8) indicates that, (69.3%) of respondents reported that, they have missed a person from their families, and this missing person could be the father, or son, or the husband.

9. Increased Burden on Displaced Women Lives due to Changing in Family’s Structure

Table (9): Increased Burden on Displaced Lives Women due to Changing in Family’s Structure

Source (Field work.2023)

Table (9) indicates that, the burden on displaced women lives including: children support, practicing more than one job, increased psychiatric stress that, collectively represented (90.7%), as well as bullying and acceptance that, the displaced women are sometimes exposed to from the host community. Income usually from marginal work, due to lack of qualifications.

RESULTS

1. The study results showed that, the periods from (2011-2015) witnessed the biggest waves of displacement of people from South Kordofan State to the study area (Umrwaba and Elrahad localities, which score (58.6%).
2. The results of the study revealed that, the cause of displacement of people from South Kordofan state to Umrwaba and Elrahad localities, North Kordofan State was armed conflict, which represented (83.3%), while other causes ranged from social, economic, and political causes.
3. The results of study showed that, all respondents have negatively influenced by the social impacts due to armed conflicts, and these impacts including: impacts on education, health, and on family’s relationships, which are together represented (61.3%).
4. The social impacts on education of displaced women lives were, the deterioration of educational level, dropping out of children from schools together scored (47.2%), beside the lack of will for education, and that resulted in displaced people passive vision towards education as investment.
5. The social impacts on the health of the displaced women lives were, the lack of health services, increased treatment cost, and the deterioration of the health status, that are collectively represented (81.8%). The psychological pressure resulting from increased burden on women as the main breadwinners of the family, and their tireless efforts to provide food for their families. This suffering exacerbated by the lack of health services, and the high cost of treatment, that forced them to relay on the traditional treatment, that resulted in increasing in the mortality rates, especially for elderly, children, and pregnant women.
6. The social impacts on family’s relationships of the displaced women lives including: Weakening family’s relationships, acquiring new relationships, changing the family’s structure scored (57.3%), hence (69.3%) of respondents reported that, they have missed a person from their families, and this missing person could be the father, or son, or the husband.
7. The burden on displaced women including: children support, practicing more than one job, increased psychiatric stress that, collectively represented (90.7%), as well as bullying and acceptance, that the displaced women are sometimes exposed to from the host community.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The study recommendations were as follows:

1. Raising the awareness of displaced women regarding rural women’s issues.
2. Increasing the participation of displaced women in grass-roots institutions.
3. Adopting an appropriate approach for the empowerment of rural and displaced women.
4. Capacity building of displaced women in problem analysis and planning.
5. Establishing special schools for displaced persons in their areas of residence, while providing resources and free education.
6. Caring of health sector, particularly maternal and child health, by increasing the number of health centers and family planning centers.
7. Improving the health environment, providing drugs, and expanding health insurance coverage.

CONCLUSION

The phenomenon of displacement as a result of armed conflict has had many impacts including economic, social, and psychological impacts. The social impacts on displaced women lives have varied, increasing the burden on them, and make them playing the role of households, beside their roles as housewives. In attempting to treat the social impacts, we must adopt an appropriate integrated scientific approach aimed primarily at dealing with the post-traumatic impacts, and then dealing with other impacts, which require economic, social and psychological interventions, this calls for concrete efforts at the local, national, and international levels

REFERENCES

1. Gazafi Nouri Abdullah, the Economic and Social Impacts of Peace Agreement on War-affected Areas, a case study, South Kordofan State, unpublished paper for obtaining PhD degree, Center for Peace and Development Studies, Kordofan University, 2021.
2. Ismael Saidi Mugalad, International Strategy and Politics, Alnahda Arab House, Beirut, 1996.
3. Rabie Abdul-Aati Abaid, the Role of African Unity Organization in Conflict Resolution, Arab National House, Cairo, 2002.
4. Sameer Ibrahim Hassan, Social Impacts of Wars and Armed Conflicts, Working paper, Arab League States Conference, 2007.
5. Social Development Administration, North Kordofan State, 2023.
6. Sulafa Abdel rahman Ahmed, Conflicts in African Continent, A case study Sudan, Unpublished paper for obtaining PhD degree, Khartoum University,2005.