On 23 January 2017, UNAMID’s Gender Advisory Unit, in collaboration with  state committees and the Ministry of Social Affairs in all five Darfur states, organized an Open Day in El Fasher, North Darfur, to discuss the progress in the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

The event brought together some 100 women and men from across five Darfur states, including members of the states’ legislature, women's civil society organizations, women from political parties, academia and UNSCR 1325 state committees. The event was also attended by Fatima Mohamed, Minister of Social Affairs, North Darfur,  members of the United Nations Country team (UNCT) and UNAMID staff.

Addressing the gathering, Margaret Masenda-Simbi, Head, Gender Advisory Unit, UNAMID, reiterated the Mission’s commitment to continue engaging women through community dialogues to build consensus on practical ways to protect women and girls from gender-based violence in camps for the displaced and other communities across Darfur. “Some important work has been undertaken in Darfur to engage and promote women in peace building and decision-making,” noted Ms. Masenda-Simbi.

On her part, Ms. Fatima Mohamed stated that the government will continue its support to the implementation of UNSCR 1325, in line with the National Policy on Women's Empowerment (2007) and the National Action Plan (NAP) on implementation of SCR 1325 that is due to be launched on 8 March 2017. “We have many initiatives to enhance the implementation of UNSCR 1325 and to reduce maternal and child mortality,” said Ms. Mohamed.

Duringr discussions at the forum, participants recommended the establishment of a High Council on Woman and Child Affairs in all five states in Darfur and increasing education opportunities for girls. They also requested the UNCT to extend support to state governments in women'sempowerment programmes.

Participants also underlined the challenges facing the implementation of UNSCR 1325, which included lack of budgetary allocations for the implementation of the provisions of 1325 in all Darfur states; insecurity and inaccessibility of some places to disseminate the provisions of  UNSCR 1325; the limited participation of women in decision-making positions in state governments and limited presence of UNCT and international NGOs to support the implementation of the Resolution.