El Fasher, 22 November 2014 – More than 140 women representing the five states of Darfur participated in a Global Open Day forum on the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 organized by the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in El Fasher, North Darfur. The event that took place on 20 November 2014 was held under the theme “Women count for peace.”

Speakers at the opening ceremony stressed the significance of the forum for consolidating efforts related to women, peace and security as laid down by the Resolution. “The Global Open Day is an opportunity to reinvigorate our efforts to realize the vision set out in Resolution 1325,” said Mr. Mohamed El-Amine Souef, UNAMID Head of Office, Sector North, on behalf of the Acting Joint Special Representative. He added that such annual meetings provide an opportunity to reaffirm the core message articulated by the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, that sustainable peace is possible only with women’s full participation, integration of gender perspectives, women in leadership roles, and their daily, equal presence in all peace processes, peacemaking and peace building.

Ms. Yegerawork Angagaw, Chief of UNAMID Gender Advisory Unit, spoke about the Mission’s efforts to enable the local community to advocate for the implementation of the provisions enshrined within UNSCR 1325, including the establishment of committees for the implementation of the landmark Resolution in all states of Darfur.  

On his part, Mr. Abu Al Bass Jidou, Deputy Wali (Governor) of North Darfur, confirmed his government’s commitment to the implementation of the Resolution. “We continue to coordinate with women’s groups to ensure UNSCR 1325 is implemented in all its aspects,” he stated. He reiterated that the government is dedicated to combat and mitigate all forms of violence against women as well as hold perpetrators of such violence accountable for their actions.

Additionally, reports marking the progress of the implementation of UNSCR 1325 across all five states were presented to the participants. These reports indicated that poverty; financial constraints; inadequate representation of women in decision-making positions as well as male dominance are some of the main obstacles faced in the implementation of the Resolution.  

At the conclusion of the meeting, participants presented recommendations that included providing livelihood activities and micro-economic and capacity-building programmes targeted at empowering Darfuri women economically and socially and to have more presence of the UN Country Team in Darfur.