Violence Against Women Archive

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Rape as a Weapon of War: Ending Impunity

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

For 16 days a year – from Nov. 25th, the international day for the elimination of violence against women, to Dec. 10th, International Human Rights Day – individuals, organizations, and even governments shine a light on the issue of sexual and gender based violence. Today marks the mid-point of the 2011 16 Days campaign. Campaigns like this and all the other hard work that has been done over the past decade and a half has led to much greater awareness of these issues. It is now recognized that in many violent conflicts around the world, rape is not an unfortunate side effect of war – it is in fact a strategic weapon of war. The good news is that with increased awareness, more perpetrators of violence against women in war are held accountable for their actions.  The bad news is that way too many women are still vulnerable to rape as a weapon of war, and far too many victims are still denied justice.

In recent years, the International Criminal Court has brought numerous rape charges against the orchestrators of mass rape in conflict zones such as Darfur.  And just this week, former Ivorian President Laurent Gbagbo was turned over to the International Criminal Court after being indicted on charges of crimes against humanity (including rape and murder) committed in the aftermath of contested elections in Cote d’Ivoire late last year.

In Libya, allegations of sexual violence by pro-government forces drew international attention last spring when a woman was arrested after speaking to international journalists about her rape. The International Criminal Court is now working to conduct investigations into the involvement of Gaddafi regime officials, who may have been involved in organizing the hundreds of other rapes reported over the last 9 months during the revolution there.

In other post-conflict regions, justice and accountability have been slow in coming. The recent trial of former Bosnian soldier Sasa Baricanin made headlines in November when he was convicted for war crimes – including murder, enslavement and rape – that he committed during the conflict in Bosnia. The conflict and ethnic cleansing campaign in Bosnia in the 1990’s became notorious for the soldiers’ strategic use of sexual violence. The UN estimates that there were as many as 50,000 rapes during the course of the war, but the trial of Sasa Baricanin marks only the 30th conviction on charges of rape since the conflict ended nearly two decades ago.

Yesterday, the UNSC placed a militia leader in the Democratic Republic of Congo under international sanctions for his role in organizing mass rapes in Eastern Congo. However,  rape is an epidemic problem in Congo, where on average 1,100 rapes are reported each month, and over 200,000 women have been raped during the conflicts there.

While we welcome every trial and conviction of perpetrators of rape, in too many conflicts around the world the organizers and perpetrators of sexual violence are still allowed to operate with impunity. A report commissioned by the UN Human Rights Council released earlier this week, found evidence of the use of sexual violence by Syrian Security forces against women and children, including young boys. Meanwhile, in Burma, where the government has a reputation for using rape as a weapon — particularly in villages known to oppose the current government regime — more than 80 rapes have been reported to human rights groups in the past year.

The advances that we have seen in recent years are only the tip of the iceberg. We need to continue to push for justice for the victims of sexual violence in conflict. The human rights community must continue to raise awareness about these issues and the international community must demand that proper investigations are conducted when there are reports of the use of mass strategic rape. We can put an end to impunity enjoyed by those who use rape as a weapon of war.

Posted in Human Rights, ICC / Justice, Justice and Accountability, Uncategorized, United Nations, Violence Against Women | Comments Off

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The world’s leaders Failed Darfur women by their inaction

Friday, March 25th, 2011

The world’s leaders Failed Darfur women by their inaction

March 8 was International Women’s Day, a very special day for me personally as a Sudanese woman from Darfur. It’s an important moment in which I stand in recognition of the struggle of the Darfuri women and as part of women’s struggle worldwide. Despite the suffering, Darfuri women have demonstrated outstanding resilience and strength and have served as leaders and spokesperson’s for their communities during the ongoing genocide in Darfur, for which they have to be recognized, particularly those who are still living in the camps.

March 8th was the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. In 1911 – the year the holiday was first celebrated internationally – women could not yet vote in most countries. It is worth noting that women have accomplished a lot globally since then , however, that is  not because the world have changed or opened its arms for women to come forward and have access to the different levels of participation, no, this is not simply the case! It’s because of women’s unspeakable struggles. Despite the fact that today a number of women serve as presidents and in other positions of power, there is still a long way to go if women are to enjoy the same access and rights as men. Looking at UN’s  this year’s theme for International Women’s Day, “Equal access to education, training, and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women,” indeed it is a very vital goal to be accomplished, however it’s extremely overwhelming when I look back and see the challenges ahead for women like those in Darfur.

For 8 years, while women around the globe have celebrated International Women’s Day, Darfuri women endure horror and fear every single hour of their existence. Since 2003, women in Darfur have been crying for security, protection and decent life with dignity as their minimum very basic rights, only to see handful promises from the international community.

Today as I am writing, rape and all forms of sexual violence has become part of the Darfuri women’s daily life, following news coming from on the ground in Darfur, at least 10 women are raped every week and these reports are only from those who can be able to speak or find someone who can speak for them. There are many more uncounted cases of those out of reach who can’t speak for themselves. After 8 years of suffering and oppression, it’s very unfortunate to see how the world leaders have failed the Darfuris by their inaction.

Listening to the Netherlands based Radio Dabanga, women have been asked in this occasion to describes  their situation, as one woman from Zalingi said, “in this special day we are not celebrating , because we have been deprived from  life, we are constantly oppressed and set to live in fear for being attacked at any time. The government has oppressed us through rape, starvation and forced us to live in salience, this is happening within the watch of the United Nations/African Union Mission (UNAMID) that is suppose to protect us”.

In Sudan today, the systematic rape have been extended by the government’s security apparatus to target even Darfuri women in the capital Khartoum as in case of Safia Ishag who was arrested following the students uprising and brutally raped by three national security agents. The government has also integrated violence against women into its state laws which legalize the flogging of women in public because of their choices such as of wearing pants.  On March 8th Sudanese women in Khartoum went out to denounce these state laws, leading a peaceful protest against women’s oppression and demanding legal reforms. Sadly over 40 women have been beaten, arrested, and forcefully kept for further interrogation.

As one of the first-hand witnesses to the horror against women in Darfur and Sudan at large, I am determined to continue to speak for them to remind the world of the forgotten plights of my fellow people in Darfur. We must remind those leaders who have not kept their promises and call upon women leaders, particularly in the United States such as Secretary of the State Hillary Rodham Clinton and the US ambassador for global women’s issues, who have shown commitment to women issues that Darfuri women need your voices and demand your commitment to lead and rally the support for ending the tragic conditions that have surrounded their make shift camps for 8 years in Darfur. As women leaders, with competence and capability it’s imperative that you become the voice for those who are left voiceless in Darfur, and you should not allow the indicted genocidal criminal Al-Basher to rule over their destiny.

I urge the attention of women leaders worldwide, those who have devoted themselves to fight for women’s rights, to tell the world that Darfuri women need protection, security and safety. I call upon those who have committed to fight impunity that achieving justice and accountability for the crimes committed against the Darfuri women is morally imperative.

Finally, I can’t let this moment goes without recognizing the remarkable role played by Netherlands based Radio Dabanaga,  which lunched special radio program devoted to give Darfuri women a voice. It does not only give them the hope that they can now make their voices heard, but it will bring their plight to the attention of the world community. If a little radio can give a woman a voice, then why not the United Nations with its huge operation, or why does the United States not take such practical steps that can substantially benefit women? It’s evident that if we can’t do everything we can still do something that can tangibly improve the life of women in some areas that they need the most.

 

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Posted in Activism, Activist Stories, African Union, China and Sudan, Congress, Darfur, Darfuri Stories, Emerging Crises, Events, genocide prevention, Human Rights, Humanitarian Aid, ICC / Justice, IDP Camps, Obama Administration, Omar al-Bashir, Peacekeeping, United Nations, Violence Against Women | No Comments »

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100 Years of Honoring Women: Tehani Ismail

Thursday, March 17th, 2011

Cross posted from Enough Said blog.

Women and children in an IDP camp in Nyala (Doug Mercado)

“Keeping Their Memories Alive”

Tehani Ismail, a Darfuri woman, was born and raised in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur. Tehani’s parents separated when she was young so she was raised by her single mother. The eldest of three sisters, Tehani was studying at the University of Khartoum when the violence in Darfur erupted. As reports of the violence reached Khartoum, Tehani and her Darfurian classmates in Khartoum sat paralyzed listening to the news stories.

With her family and friends still in Nyala, Tehani decided to go home and see with her own eyes what was happening. She traveled to Nyala and volunteered to work with a local organization. On her first field visit with the group, Tehani and her colleagues traveled by car to the countryside just north of Nyala. Tehani recalled that when she had been there before the war, it was the lushest area of South Darfur. “It was a place where any crops grew and all animals grazed.” But this time, when they arrived, the area was still smoldering from the fires. They encountered dead bodies of men, women, and children strewn everywhere and homes completely ransacked. There were very few survivors of the attack. They encountered burned village after burned village until they reached Muhajiriya, where they saw signs of life again.

When they reached Muhajiriya, Tehani remembers being overwhelmed by what she had seen. “What happened to the people, animals, and land that she had always remembered?” She then realized that “this is not just collateral damage of warfare but rather systematic killing of people and a violation of their human rights. If the people of Darfur aren’t aware of their rights,” she concluded, “then the government of Sudan could keep violating them.”

That was Tehani’s Enough Moment. She decided she would forgo getting a four-year university degree and would work with an organization to raise awareness and educate her fellow Darfuris about their human rights.

Tehani joined the Sudan Social Development Organization, or SUDO, as a human rights worker in 2004. SUDO is dedicated to the promotion of human rights and international development. While at SUDO, Tehani faced harassment and watched her colleagues disappear to detention centers. Sudanese government security agents had begun targeting SUDO staff and shutting down their operation since 2003. Intimidation tactics used by Sudan security operatives included going to Tehani’s mother and sister and advising them that they should tell her that “what she is doing is dangerous and her safety is not guaranteed.” Both Tehani and her mother, a public health worker, were prevented from going to work by the security officials.

In spite of this, Tehani continues to be a human rights advocate and is now a correspondent for Radio Dabanga in Nyala. Tehani is currently mobilizing women’s groups in South Darfur. The groups have established the Riaheen el-Salam for Maternity and Childhood Center, and it is focused on addressing gender-based violence. Tehani notes she has seen the “worst of the worst” cases in her work: women who were raped, who have lost everything, and who must begin picking up the pieces of their lives.  Tehani now documents their cases and provides counseling and comfort so they can begin the healing process. Several of Tehani’s close friends have died because of the violence in Darfur. Initially, Tehani was always thinking of her lost friends while doing her work and constantly searching for ways to keep their memories alive. Tehani has found the best way is to work with the survivors.

Other profiles in this International Women’s Day series: Lynn Nottage, Chouchou Namegabe, Melissa Fitzgerald

The profiles highlighted in this series were compiled for The Enough Moment, a book by John Prendergast and Don Cheadle about engaged citizens – known and unknown, in the U.S. and abroad – who are mobilizing to help end genocide, rape, and the use of child soldiers in Africa. Visit the Enough Moment Wall to hear people describe their “Enough moment” and to upload a video, photo, or written testimonial of your own.

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Darfur Interfaith Network demands attention to Darfur

Thursday, March 3rd, 2011

“No impunity for genocide crimes committed in Darfur”

On Sunday, February 20th, I joined a dedicated group of American activists from diverse faiths, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, that united to protest in front of the Sudanese embassy in Washington D.C.   We were there to call for an end to the systematic violence against civilians in Darfur. For each month in the past four years, the Darfur Interfaith Network (D.I.N.) has come to stand with the victims of genocide in Darfur and support the right of self-determination for the people of South Sudan.  On the Sunday that I attended, the group celebrated the peaceful completion of the South Sudan Referendum and called on the United States government and international community to turn their attention to the escalation of violence in Darfur.

Laura Katz Cutler, the founder of D.I.N. said, “We have been doing this for four years, and will never, ever stop until the genocide victims in Darfur are freed and they can live in peace and with dignity. We are committed to stand here every third Sunday of the month to tell our government that the war in Darfur is not over and it is too early to normalize relations with Khartoum or lift sanctions or remove their name from the state sponsors of the terrorism list, while the genocide is ongoing in Darfur.”

I shared with the activists the heartbreaking news about the current situation in Darfur, including the continued attacks against civilians, which killed over 2,300 Darfuris and displaced over 300,000 more, and the increased cases of sexual violence that are being reported nearly every day. December’s indiscriminate bombings in Jebel Marra, Thabit, Shangle Tobai, and many more areas in North and South Darfur displaced over 40,000 people and left thousands without critical aid. Unfortunately, the UNAMID troops that are there to protect civilians are hogtied by the Sudanese government’s obstructionism and the unwillingness of the international community to hold Khartoum accountable.  I told the group “Sadly, despite the devastation and the tragic situation for our people in Darfur, the Obama administration announced its plan to normalize relations with the al-Bashir regime and to take Sudan’s name off the list of the state sponsors of terrorism.”

Jimmy Mula, the President of Voices for Sudan and originally from South Sudan, said “We are grateful that the referendum went peacefully, however our task has not yet been completed as long as Darfur is still burning and the indicted president is still dictating over the Sudanese people affairs. The time has not yet come for America to normalize relations; we must write to the Obama Administration to tell him that we are against the normalization with Bashir and that his policy toward normalization should be revisited.” Mohamed Yahya, a Darfuri American and the Executive Director of Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy, stated, “It’s very unfortunate that this great country is planning to reward the regime that killed millions of people, in both the civil war in South Sudan and the current genocide in Darfur.  It’s known to the world that he has been indicted for genocide, and shame on us, the American people, if we can’t tell our government not to do so”.

Miss Katz Cutler said, ”From what we have seen in the recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa, it’s proven that only the will of people can remain the power that can bring the change. Therefore there is no reason for us not to continue support the will of the people of Darfur to live in peace.”

At the end of the vigil, we gathered and prayed together and reiterated our commitment to continue to do whatever it takes to stand with the victims of the Darfur genocide. I left with much hope and energy.

I am convinced that the promise of “Never Again” can only become reality if ordinary citizens work for it. Groups like the Darfur Interfaith Vigil are not hesitant to tell their government and the world that they demand that President al-Bashir be held accountable for the crimes against humanity and genocide.

I believe that those of us who are lucky to have escaped the ongoing genocide in Darfur are obliged to be the voice for our people who have been oppressed and silenced. We must stand firm, build strong alliances with all people of conscience to fight against genocide and mass atrocities everywhere, and continue to defend the rights of all the oppressed and their equal access to justice and human rights.

Niemat Ahmadi, Diaspora Outreach and Advocacy Coordinator, Genocide Intervention Network/Save Darfur Coalition

About http://www.hope4darfurmarch.org/darfur-interfaith-network

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Posted in Activism, Activist Stories, African Union, Bush Administration, Congress, Darfur, Darfuri Stories, Emerging Crises, Events, Faith, genocide prevention, Human Rights, Humanitarian Aid, ICC / Justice, IDP Camps, Media, Obama Administration, Omar al-Bashir, Peace Process, Peacekeeping, Referendum, South Sudan, United Nations, Violence Against Women | No Comments »

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Violence and Oppression of Women in Northern Sudan

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Women in Sudan endure numerous challenges due to the oppressive policies of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP). Repressive laws and gender-based violence severely limit the ability of women to voice opinions without fear of retaliation.

Yesterday, a female activist and university student in Khartoum was kidnapped in front of her house and raped multiple times by the Sudanese Government’s National Intelligence Security Service (NISS) agents. She was later dumped on a road but managed to get to a hospital where she was treated for her injuries and doctors confirmed in a medical report that she has been raped. When she reported her rape to police, they rejected the medical report.

On January 30th, hundreds of Sudanese activists and university students held demonstrations in Khartoum and several other cities in northern Sudan to protest the government’s oppressive rule and call for President Omar al-Bashir to step down. The NISS beat demonstrators with sticks and arrested over 100 protestors, many of whom were tortured. One of the women arrested during the demonstrations was sexually assaulted by NISS officials.

On February 10th, another female activist was arrested by NISS officers and taken to their station, where she was sexually assaulted for four hours while the officers laughed at her suffering. These three incidents clearly illustrate how violence against women is repeatedly used by Sudanese government authorities.

On February 16th, female members of the Popular Congress Party (PCP), a major Islamic opposition group led by Hassan al-Turabi, protested outside of NISS headquarters to deliver a petition calling for the release of al-Turabi and other recently arrested PCP members. According to Asmaa al-Turabi, the PCP leader’s daughter, NISS forcibly prevented them from delivering the petition and stated that she and other protestors were physically and verbally abused by NISS agents. Another PCP member, Rasha Yasin Hamid, claimed she was severely beaten and her clothes were torn by NISS members.

The Government of Sudan has used sexual and gender based violence in Darfur for years to not only physically harm women, but primarily to humiliate and assert power which damages the social fabric of their entire community. In Darfur, rape and other forms of violence against women are widespread and are used as a tool by government and janjaweed forces to terrorize communities. Victims of rape in Darfur rarely receive justice and perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence operate with impunity.

Many northerners fear that the tactics used by the government will become more common, especially since President al-Bashir announced that the government will fully implement Sharia law throughout Sudan, once South Sudan becomes independent on July 9th. The United States and international community must condemn and pressure the Government of Sudan to end their use of violence against women and other harsh tactics against human rights activists.

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Keep your eyes on Darfur

Friday, January 14th, 2011

Ambassador Dane Smith

In a letter to Ambassador Dane Smith, the newly appointed U.S. Senior Advisor for Darfur, Darfuri diaspora civil society leaders stated: “With the international communities’ focus on referendum for independence in South Sudan, Darfur has been largely overlooked and Omar Al-Basher’s regime has taken the opportunity to further oppress Darfuri civil society and initiate attacks against civilians.”

Today the situation in Darfur is gravely dangerous; with over 4 million people affected by war and depending completely on food aid for almost 8 years. The majority of whom have been internally displaced and remain subject to the direct attacks, abduction, arrest, rape and the deprivation of food, rape of women and girls and sadly their fate is left to be determined by the indicted genocidal criminal Al-Basher.

The escalation of attacks by the Janjaweed and the government army has been increasing since March 2010 after the renewal of fighting between the government and the Darfuri movements. The obstruction of aid assistance and the systematic targeting of the Darfur human right defenders and the civil society activists everywhere in Sudan is dramatically increasing and has brought a new dimension to the tragic situation that our people are living in.

Over the past few months in Darfur there have been several reports of violent attacks by the Government of Sudan (GoS) against the innocent civilians such as the recent attack on Khor Abeche which set off a renewal of fighting in December between the government and the Darfur rebel groups. The aerial bombing of villages by Khartoum  and fighting between the government and rebels has resulted in displacement of over 32,000 civilians in December and an estimated 300,000 in 2010 alone, most of whom are left with no access to humanitarian assistance.

Darfuri diaspora rally at the United Nations in 2009

While the government rhetorically claims to be dedicated towards peace negotiations with the Darfuri movements, they have repeatedly violated all the ceasefire agreements; furthermore they have reignited the conflict with SLA-Minni Minawi, the only faction to have signed a peace agreement with GoS. They have also withdrawn their negotiating team from Doha peace talks on December 30th which itself not only shows the lack of commitment to peace, but further undermines the authority of the mediation, the venue and the host country. The government also continues to deny access for humanitarian organizations and UNAMID, which has limited their ability to reach the affected populations particularly in Jebel Marra and the recently displaced from Shangil Tobai, Dar el Salam, and Khor Abeche areas which have limited their ability to provide supplies and security for Darfuri civilians. This demonstrates that the government is acting with total impunity because of lack of serious accountability measures and pressure from the international community including the United States. The lack of and the poor aid conditions is overwhelming in all of the camps in Darfur due to the government restriction since the March 2009 expulsion of the major aid organizations.

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16 Ways to Defend Women’s Rights

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Women Weaving in Darfur - photo by Mark Lotwis for the Save Darfur Coalition

Beginning on November 25th with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women through Human Rights Day on December 10th, there is a great opportunity for all of us to make a difference. If we take a moment to stand in solidarity with the women survivors of genocide and violent conflict, we can help alleviate their suffering. During these 16 days, activists across the world work together to promote ending violence against women, and while activism against sexual and gender based violence is essential, 16 days a year is not nearly enough. We all need to take steps throughout this upcoming year to end violence against women by supporting the following initiatives.

Protection for women

Despite the international community’s best efforts, the situation for women in Darfur remains grave. Over the past seven years, U.N. agencies and international organizations have undertaken efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to the victims of the genocide in Darfur, the majority of whom are women and children.

The joint United Nations-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID), continues to face huge obstacles in its attempts to protect civilians. Darfuri women living in refugee and internally displaced persons (IDPs) camps are subject to rape and other forms of sexual assault and remain especially vulnerable to diseases and trauma. Even when the fighting is not as prevalent, rape continues to be a weapon consistently used to dehumanize women and their families.

The expulsion of key international aid organizations in March 2009 following the International Criminal Court arrest warrant for Omar al-Bashir, along with severe restrictions and intimidation of aid workers, have made it increasingly difficult for humanitarian organizations to help women. Darfuri women are left with no choice but to endure the risk of rape as a part of their daily life. They tolerate unspeakable suffering, as they have no access to reporting or paths towards  holding the perpetrators accountable.

Heartbreaking stories continue to come out every day from Darfur On November 23rd, a 40 year-old woman from Kassab camp near Kutum in North Darfur was gang raped by four men from the Janjaweed (Arab militias). Her family continues to struggle to find treatment for her physical and emotional wounds. Last weekend, three girls between thae ages of 10 and 15 years old from a camp in Eastern Chad were raped and remain in critical condition. Two cases of suicide of pregnant girls were reported by camp leaders to the Netherlands-based Radio Dabanga, in an appeal to the international community for protection of women. The international community must do more to ensure that women in conflicts such as Darfur receive protection. Secretary Clinton has already issued statements supporting women’s rights in Sudan; however, we must continue to make sure that the protection of women remains in the spotlight and that the Obama Administration takes steps to pressure the Government of Sudan to allow UNAMID access to provide security to women in Darfur.

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International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

This Thursday is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. While we celebrate all that we are thankful for, women and girls in Darfur continue to be targets of sexual and gender based violence. Over the past decade, rape has been used as a tool of war by the Sudan armed forces, allied militias and other belligerents in Darfur to terrorize women and their communities. Today, Darfuri women and girls are increasingly targets of opportunistic violence that flourishes in Darfur’s environment of widespread insecurity, continuing violent clashes, and near total impunity.

Women from Kalma IDP camp in Darfur

During the height of direct attacks on villages by the Sudan Armed Forces and allied janjaweed militias, women and girls were often specifically targeted with brutal sexual violence. In a report by Amnesty International, a Darfuri woman recounted her horrific experience:

“When we tried to escape they shot more children. They raped women; I saw many cases of Janjawid raping women and girls. They are happy when they rape. They sing when they rape and they tell that we are just slaves and that they can do with us how they wish.”

Such mass targeting of women and girls is not about sexual desire; it is fundamentally about control and power. Sexual and gender based violence is often intended not only to physically injure women, but also to humiliate and emotionally scar women and their families and communities.

Currently most incidents of sexual and gender based violence are concentrated on the outskirts of camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs), where 1 out every 3 Darfuri civilians have fled to seek refuge from violence. With continued restrictions on its movement and operations, UNAMID has been unable to provide full security in areas around IDP camps. Women face an especially high risk for sexual and gender based violence whenever they travel outside camps, which they often must do to gather firewood, plant crops, or collect water. The Sudanese government also severely restricts the ability of humanitarian organizations to provide medical and psychosocial services that would assist survivors of sexual violence.

The perpetrators of rape and other forms of violence against women do so with near total impunity. Rape and other forms of violence against women often go unreported since women who admit to being attacked face harassment and their claims are often dismissed by authorities. Women also often fear the social stigma that can surround sexual violence – at worst, victims who admit attacks can be shunned by their husbands or families.

In the parts of Sudan where Sharia law is practiced, rape is defined as the offense of zina — intercourse between unmarried men and women – that is performed without consent.  If a woman is unable to prove she did not consent, she is at risk of being charged with zina for having confessed to sexual intercourse outside of marriage. To prosecute a man for rape, Sudanese courts often require to the sexual act to have been witnessed by four men – making such prosecutions nearly impossible. Under Sudan’s Sharia law, unmarried women who are convicted of zina receive 100 lashes, and married women risk being sentenced to death by stoning. All of these factors make the reporting of sexual and gender based crimes, let alone prosecuting them, very rare.

The international community must do more to prevent and respond to violence against women in Dafur. To reduce the level of sexual and gender based violence in Darfur, the social stigma against victims must be overcome.  While the Joint UN/AU Peacekeeping Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has conducted several training exercises aimed at reducing the social stigma of sexual violence, these must be expanded throughout the region. UNAMID can also reduce the possibility of violence against women occurring by increasing patrols surrounding IDP camps, in consultation with IDP women about when and where patrols would be most beneficial. The international community should also promote women’s leadership in Sudanese civil society and Darfuri women’s full participation in the Darfur peace negotiations. Any lasting peace must be crafted with the full inclusion of civil society stakeholders, including women.

As we celebrate with family and friends this Thanksgiving, the crisis in Darfur and grave challenges faced by women in Sudan will continue. The current environment of impunity for sexual and gender-based violence and other atrocities cannot be tolerated. On Thursday, we should not only give thanks, but renew our commitment to advocacy to protect and empower women across Sudan.

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Pat Farrell – May’s Darfur Hero has a generous heart

Sunday, May 16th, 2010

The Darfur Heroes program is a way for the Save Darfur Coalition to honor individuals and groups who have done inspiring and important work in an effort to end the violence in Sudan. This May, Save Darfur Coalition is proud to honor Pat Farrell. Pat has been a longtime activist in the Sudan movement and a generous donor every month since 2006. Her contributions have helped support advocacy programs to raise media outreach and pressure policymakers. Find below her own words about her passion for the people of Sudan.

I became interested in the situation in Darfur several years ago. I am a nurse, and was working at a school where Mia Farrow’s son was a student. I had the opportunity to meet Mia a few times and become aware of her outstanding devotion to the women and children who suffer such horrible atrocities. I called Mia, and after a brief conversation I knew that I could no longer just stand by, but had to become active in the Save Darfur Coalition’s advocacy work.

I have tried as much as possible to raise awareness of this cause among family and friends. I contribute a small amount every month and have attended rallies to bring more attention to the situation in Darfur.  My dream of joining a medical team and traveling to the refugee camps to help even more people would be hard to achieve. Nevertheless, my intention is to continue my devotion to the women and children of Darfur no matter what it takes. I am an adoptive parent and have had the opportunity to see up close and personal the tremendous need world-wide to help children. After my experience I am left to ask you – how can we not?

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Darfur Womens Action Group and STAND club at American University Honor Women

Monday, March 29th, 2010

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 7th 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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