25 August 2010 - A two-day consultative workshop on gender issues organized by UNAMID, concluded yesterday in Nyala, South Darfur. The occasion was used to discuss the status of the implementation of UNSCR 1325, a landmark resolution by the UN Security Council which ensures that the promotion of women’s empowerment and gender equality form a central part of efforts to implement peacekeeping mandates.

The forum, presided over by the Wali's (Governor's) Advisor on Women and Children Affairs and attended by committee members representing key ministries and institutions, as well as Civil Society representatives, focused on several critical issues. Most notably this included monitoring the representation of women in government structures, the peace process, women empowerment, gender and sexual based violence and child soldiers.

The body proposed a number of recommendations and revised the State's Plan of Action to steer the future course of the work of the committee. Among others, the recommendations focused on community mobilization through raising awareness, capacity development of government institutions, advocacy for law reforms and women's empowerment through education.

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