“Where is Roqia?”

This documentary was produced by the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa Network (SHA Network) in collaboration with the Ayin Network.

30 August 2025

Behind every case of disappearance or enforced disappearance is untold pain—mothers unable to sleep, families and loved ones enduring endless suffering, and an ongoisng search for loved ones whose fate is unknown.

In comemoration of today, the International Day of of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, the following documentary explores the devastating impact of enforced disappearances. Siham Ishaq shares her story of her tireless search for her daughter, Roqia Ibrhaim, who has been missing since June 2023, just two months into Sudan’s ongoing conflict. 

Refusing to give in to despair, Siham has searched everywhere—hospitals, morgues, and police stations—carrying photos of her missing daughter and holding onto an unwavering hope, despite the long wait. She continues to ask: “Where is Roqia?”

From outbreak of war in mid April in 2023 up to November 2024, SIHA documented 231 cases of missing women and girls. Around 88% of them remain missing up until today with no furthern information regarding their whereabouts.