Late last week I attended a panel discussion by the Darfur Women Action Group and the STAND Club of American University to honor the struggle, strength and resilience of Darfuri women in the face of genocide. This event was held to commemorate International Women’s Day and Women’s History month, and was solely focused on what needed to be done to empower female survivors of the genocide and how to bring justice and accountability to Darfur, the marginalized cities, and all of Sudan.

It was an all-woman panel featuring Rev. Gloria White Hammond of My Sister’s Keeper, Evelyn Thornton of Initiative for Inclusive security, Fatima Haroun of Darfur Women Action Group, Ciatta Z. Bayshah, Esq. for International Justice Project and Niemat Ahmadi, a representative of Save Darfur Coalition and member of Darfur Women Action Group

Rev. Gloria spoke first of the terrible history of slavery in South Sudan that she herself witnessed. She mentioned that, at the time, $33.00 U.S Dollars was the exchange rate for a slave and that women were disproportionately affected by the slavery. She spoke of the need of women’s voices in peace building for Darfur and all of Sudan. She encouraged the attending American University students, Diaspora community, and other activists to never give up and to use their voice to advocate for women and peace in Sudan.

Evelyn Thornton spoke strongly, clarifying that asking actors to include women in the peace process is not to demonize men, but to have women present and represented in the peace and decision making process for their community and Sudan. Ms. Thornton talked about Inclusive Security’s commitment to innovative strategies that will include women in the peace processes while mentioning that women were only present at the Abuja peace talks at the final, or 7^th meeting. She highlighted that female inclusion was not about equality, and that women at peace talks or tables helped raise issues of peace, not power, education, development and healthcare centers. In all women, have demonstrated a willingness to cross conflict lines and consistently reach collaborative agendas.  Key findings that were discussed about women’s involvement were that women should be involved from day 1, that the US negotiation team of mediators should reflect at least 30% women, and that women should be supported at the peace talks.

Fatima Haroun of Darfur Women Action Group spoke passionately of a need for community healing and recovery; that women are enduring constant pain and emotional distress from being witnesses to murder, rape, mass killings, and abuse. She highlighted a urgent need for a process of healing, as well as a trusted system of justice and accountability in Darfur. Fatima asked for stabilization, social amenities, infrastructure and development, trade schools and an empowerment center for women that can provide counseling services and microfinance institutions.

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