Is Sudan safe for women travellers?
Significant restrictions
Sudan carries significant legal restrictions for women travellers — the clearest concern is women's legal rights (severe legal inequality).
What to know as a woman
the sourced facts that weigh most for you · concerns first
Women face severe legal inequality — the WBL index scores 33/100 (2023), with major restrictions across mobility, marriage, work and property. Research local rules on freedom of movement carefully.
Under Article 135 of the 1991 Criminal Act, abortion is permitted only to save the woman’s life, where the fetus has died, or in cases of rape within 90 days of pregnancy.
The 2019 Constitutional Declaration bars discrimination on race, religion, sex and disability, but Sudan has no comprehensive anti-discrimination statute and no protection covering sexual orientation or gender identity, and enforcement is weak.
Identity & recognition
Same-sex relationships
CriminalisedSame-sex sexual acts are criminalised under the 1991 Criminal Act (Section 148 ’sodomy’); a 2020 amendment removed the death penalty and flogging but retained imprisonment of up to life for repeat offences.
Legal gender recognition
Not possibleSudan has no law or procedure permitting a change of legal gender, and transgender people cannot amend their gender on official documents.
Anti-discrimination protection
Partial, no SOGIThe 2019 Constitutional Declaration bars discrimination on race, religion, sex and disability, but Sudan has no comprehensive anti-discrimination statute and no protection covering sexual orientation or gender identity, and enforcement is weak.
Disability rights
CRPD 2009, weak implSudan ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2009, but domestic implementation and enforcement remain weak.
Women's legal rights
Severe legal inequalityWomen face severe legal inequality — the WBL index scores 33/100 (2023), with major restrictions across mobility, marriage, work and property. Research local rules on freedom of movement carefully.
LGBTQ+ legal equality
Few or no protectionsLGBTQ+ people face a hostile legal environment — Equaldex scores 9/100 (2026); expect few or no protections, and in some places active criminalisation. Research local law and discretion carefully.
Body & health
Abortion access
Life/rape onlyUnder Article 135 of the 1991 Criminal Act, abortion is permitted only to save the woman’s life, where the fetus has died, or in cases of rape within 90 days of pregnancy.
Cannabis & personal drug law
Illegal, severeCannabis use, possession and cultivation are illegal under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1994; penalties include imprisonment, flogging and the death penalty for trafficking.
Faith & conscience
Government restriction of religion
Moderate (Pew)Pew’s Government Restrictions Index placed Sudan in the ’moderate’ band (score 3.2) for 2021, after July 2020 reforms decriminalised apostasy and repealed public-morality offences; the ongoing conflict may have since worsened conditions.
Blasphemy & apostasy law
On the booksBlasphemy remains an offence under Article 125 of the 1991 Criminal Act; a 2020 amendment removed flogging and capped imprisonment at six months.
Speech & press
Freedom of expression
Not free · 1/100Rated Not Free, 1/100, by Freedom House (2025).
Your obligations on arrival
Address / residence registration
Foreign nationals, including students, must register with the Aliens Registration Office at the Ministry of Interior within three days of arrival in Sudan or face a fine.
Student work rights
A Sudanese entry or student visa does not authorise employment; paid work requires a separate work permit or work visa, and no documented student work-hour allowance exists.
Health insurance
Health insurance is not a clearly documented legal requirement for a Sudanese visa or enrolment, but comprehensive travel medical cover is strongly advised given the country’s severely limited healthcare and ongoing conflict.
Bringing medication
Personal prescription medicines should be carried in original packaging with a copy of the prescription; commercial import of medicines requires a certificate from Sudan’s National Medicines and Poisons Board, and supplies are scarce so travellers should bring enough for their stay.
Laws differ from lived experience and this is not legal advice. Each fact shows its evidence type, date and source. Full method & sources →
Emergency numbers
Travel-medical cover that works abroad with no local address, and a data eSIM so maps and messaging work the moment you land.