There is a concerted global momentum to address women’s rights in conflict situations, and despite some setbacks and challenges, Darfur is making progress on women’s issues.

By Emadeldin Rijal

In many parts of Sudan, including in Darfur, there is a saying: “No matter how powerful a woman is, she is weak and has little value.” This unfortunate expression, the likes of which can be heard the world over, aptly characterises some Darfuri attitudes toward women here. As strong as the women of Darfur are, and as significant and lasting their contributions to Darfur society might be, an undercurrent of belittlement toward women runs deep in some Darfuri communities.

In this context, the Government of Sudan, the African Union - United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and various international and national nongovernmental organizations have been making the topic of encouraging and empowering women nearly ubiquitous at civil society workshops, cultural events and forums focused on women’s rights. The United Nations’ “Open Days” event, an annually celebrated follow-on to Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, has served as a key mechanism to highlight women’s issues in Darfur.

Resolution 1325 is essentially a legal framework that addresses the impact of war on women, along with the pivotal role women should and do play in conflict management, conflict resolution and sustainable peace. The Resolution calls for increased participation of women at all levels of decision-making, especially in preventing, managing and resolving conflict and in peace negotiations.

The Resolution stipulates that all parties to the armed conflict must take special measures to protect women and girls from gender-based violence and all other forms of violence in armed conflict. The Resolution also calls for strengthening women’s rights under national law and supporting local women’s peace initiatives and conflict resolution processes. In a statement in 2005, the Security Council called on UN Member States to implement Resolution 1325 through the development of national action plans and other national- level strategies.

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Read the full story in the January issue of Voices of Darfur. Download the magazine (PDF) here.

Pictured here on 25 November 2012 is Ms. Nabila Abdilkarim, who works as legal advisor in the North Darfur Ministry of Justice and is a member of the High Committee for United Nations Security Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Photo by Albert González Farran.