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 30^th 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.

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.

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

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.

On Sunday, February 20^th, 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

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 30^th, 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 10^th, 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 16^th, 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 9^th. 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.

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

Between October 30th and November 7th the government arrested 13 Darfur human rights activists and journalists in Khartoum and is still detaining them. I’ve heard news from Sudan that they have been tortured and continue to be denied access to meet their families and lawyers. In the beginning December, two prominent women civil society and peace activists, were arrested by the government security forces and are still in detention today. There has been news that they have been tortured and have only recently been granted access to their families and lawyers. Both women are accused of crimes against state for which the maximum sentence is death and we are extremely worried about the safety. This in addition, there are an uncounted number of IDPs, who have been held in detention for more than one year without charges.

Rape and sexual violence against women and girls is has increasing dramatically over the past several months and sexual and gender based violence has been reported in IDP camps in Darfur as well as in the refugees camps in Chad nearly every day. Even inside the capital cities of the three Darfur states, where UNAMID headquarters are based, with total impunity, as example: on Jan 3rd six women were raped in Nyala near Ottash camp and left  with no physical treatment or  psychosocial support.

Currently, the Darfuri refugees in Chad and Central African Republic are left vulnerable more than ever before after the recent withdrawal of the UN peacekeeping force, MINURCAT. The combined the lack of the capacity of the Chadian Army to protect refugees and the existing competition between the Chadian IDPs, civilians and the refugees as well as the unpredictable tension between Chadian rebels and the Chad government’s Army. Consequently, we have been troubled by the Statement made by Sudan’s Minister of Interior in a press release following his meeting with Al-Basher on January 2nd, stated that they have laid two security plans for Darfur, first to redistribute security and police forces all over Darfur, and the second to repatriate refugees from Chad, 300 families to the three Darfur states in the first quarter of 2011 from January –February. With the lack of security and the peace which remain cloudy in Darfur, any attempt for repatriation will be disastrous. Refugees should be voluntary and facilitated by the UN as usual and only when the conditions for return are created. In Central African Republic, the situation for the Darfuri refugees is worsening as reported by Radio Dabanga on January 7th that 2,800 refugees are facing acute food shortage.

The Obama Administration has promised to reward al-Basher if he allows a peaceful referendum for the South. While myself and all Darfuris are wholeheartedly supporting the referendum as a legitimate right for the South, time has not yet come for the U.S. to reward the man who has committed genocide and still oppressing and killing people to stay in power. The people of Darfur are looking to you, the American people who have been advocating for their rights for almost seven years, if you can tell your government that if Obama wants to keep this country great, he should listen to all of you who demanded justice and peace for the victims of the 21st century’s genocide in Darfur. We all should tell the Administration that premature rewards for Al-Basher shouldn’t be prioritized before achieving lasting peace and accountability for crimes committed in Darfur. Both the people of Darfur and the South have been and are victimized by the regime in Khartoum, and the U.S. has the moral responsibility to support their legitimate rights to live in peace and dignity.

As stated by my colleague Sam Bell the Executive Director of GI-Net/ Save Darfur Coalition, following the peaceful start of the vote for South referendum “the U.S. diplomacy has yielded positive results, but still there is a long way to go” so we still have to keep an eye on the historical vote for the South and the vulnerable situation in Darfur.

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

Beginning on November 25^th with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women through Human Rights Day on December 10^th, 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 23^rd, 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.

Healing for women

The suffering and harm inflicted on women and their families leaves a long-lasting psychological impact. They desperately need support, including physical and psychological treatment. Justice is particularly crucial allow women to heal. Therefore, we must call on the U.S. to support justice in Darfur by taking actions such as pressuring member states of the International Criminal Court to follow their international obligation to arrest Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, who is responsible for orchestrating the genocide. This would be an essential step towards supporting healing as well as bringing justice and lasting peace to women in Darfur.

Empower women

Despite my suffering as a woman survivor of the 21^st century genocide, I have been able to not only turn my bitterness into a productive effort but also try to give others the confidence that can help them to discover their own powe, and have sought practical solutions that help them overcome the challenges we face. Even if it sounds simple, nothing is more powerful than letting people know their own strength and showing them how to utilize it effectively.

Give recognition to women

Women have played a crucial role in shaping the history, the present, and the future of all nations, as witnessed in Darfur. Women’s contributions deserve recognition by all actors, and we must recognize their suffering as well as their resilience, strength, ability to cope, and their capability to build the future. Please write stories, blogs, articles or books recognizing women’s accomplishments.

Create forums for women

Women are very sharp in identifying their needs as well as that of their community. They need space to share stories of their suffering, articulate and debate their views, and strategize for building their future. The international community must do more to support and involve women in peace processes and other regional and international forums so that they can share their opinions and participate in the reshaping of their communities.

Building partnerships between men and women for sustainable change

Despite the fact that women’s issues are community issues, most interventions intended to address women’s issues have been directed toward women alone. In order to bring desirable change to any society, efforts must be directed toward both men and women equally. Outreach and interventions should encourage men and women to build partnerships through which they can take equal responsibility for resolving issues that affect not only women, but the society as a whole, in order to build a sustainable future. Please educate, advocate and provide opportunity for equal partnership.

Educate women

Education is the key to ending violence. Empowering women through education gives them the capacity to resolve future challenges. We have a famous saying in Sudan that “the mother is like a school. If you equip her you will for sure have a prosperous nation.” This has become very evident in societies where women have faced violence, such as in Bosnia where women told the former UN International Repertoire for Violence Against Women that “educated women are not easy to rule over.” Please support organizations that provide education to women in developing countries to ensure that they are equipped to become leaders within their societies.

Promote leadership among women

Despite the brutality and the horror of the violence that faces women, the women of Darfur have demonstrated outstanding resilience, strength and wisdom and have emerged as leaders in their communities. The challenge that remains is enhancing women’s leadership capacity by giving them resources and tools to lead.

Listen to women

If we listen we can make a difference in women’s lives,. They know their issues, they know the solution and they are capable of taking part in any effort. If we can listen and urge policymakers to listen to women’s voices, we can promote the development and implementation of laws and policies that are favorable to women.

Be a voice for women

Darfuri women and many other women who have been subjected to violence have had their voices oppressed. As of today, speaking about violence against women in Darfur is considered by the Sudanese government to be a crime. Even when women report crimes to UN officials or speak to international delegates about their plight, they can be arrested. Therefore, they need you as external voices to speak up and be their voices to raise the issue of violence against women and pressure the Sudanese government to end its oppressive policies.

Advocate for equal rights for women

It is striking that most of the actors involved in addressing the crises do not use the resources at hand and employ them in the interest of creating lasting solutions. Chief among these resources are women and the skills that they have learned, their indigenous knowledge, experience in different fields, traditional conflict resolution mechanisms and role as elders in their communities. If they have equal access to decision-making roles, women will make everlasting change.

Motivate women

Women are the most untapped resource in our society. While they comprise half of the population of the society, or even more during times of war, they are often left out of decision-making roles. Building community-based women led organizations and the their institutional capacity is extremely rewarding in the rebuilding process. Therefore, I encourage you to support women civil society organizations.

Give a voice to women

As documented by Physician for Human Rights, the women of Farchana refugee camp in eastern Chad have set a great example. They have demonstrated that the suffering has not been able to strip away women’s ability to protest against oppression or to voice their demands. The Farchana Manifesto is an example of Darfuri women standing up for their rights and demanding equality and an end to oppression.

Educate people about issues affecting women

Despite the magnitude of the crises, except for a few dedicated individuals, there has been relatively little media attention dedicated to highlighting issues that affect women. We desperately need to call more attention to the ongoing suffering of women in conflict zones such as Darfur and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where violence has been used as a tool to oppress women. While activists have undertaken the essential work of promoting the elimination of violence against women, the international community must do more to raise awareness of the level of violence women in conflicts are subjected to in order to ensure there is political will to end these practices.

Supporting women survivors of genocide, mass atrocities and violent conflict everywhere

In recent history, women have been especially likely to become targets of war, since they are the heart of societies like Darfur. In order to destroy the social fabric and weaken the affected communities, attackers target women. Therefore, it is extremely important to note that both protecting and providing support for women as well as holding perpetrators of crimes committed against women accountable should be at the center of the efforts in combating genocide and preventing its repetition in the future. By taking the above actions between now and next year’s 16 days of activism, we all have the ability to support and improve the life of women who continue to be targets of the genocide in Darfur.

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.

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?

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.

Kiara Nagel recounted her younger years as an organizer and the emotional pain that losing a common playground, “the square,” caused her. She talked about how people were unfairly displaced from their community and loved ones for big businesses and political gain, and how a feeling of responsibility gave her a personal attachment to organizing a base of activists out of friends and family. Ciatta Baysah, Esq. spoke about her involvement with the international justice project, especially its focus on helping women and children, and its advocacy on their behalf at the ICC and other global forums. She also highlighted the work of Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre whose mission is to strengthen the capacity of research, documentation, local civil society action on issues relevant to peaceful resolution of armed conflicts, and the associated human rights and humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

To bring the panel discussion to an end Niemat Ahmadi spoke of the main focus of the Darfur Women Action Group, stating that it was established to focus on women’s emergency needs and work as an empowerment tool for women, mainly in Darfur and Sudan but also in the Diaspora community. She shared a personal story of how she worked to empower women in Darfur and how much more still needed to be done.  She also spoke of a young Sudanese lady in Virginia, who could not attend college because of her language barrier.  When trying to enroll her 7 year old daughter in school, she was referred to a school for mentally disabled kids because of her daughter’s language barrier. The Darfur Women Action Group immediately contacted the school, informing its leaders that the young lady and her daughter were part of the community and needed help. Niemat called on activists and the government to strengthen and create a means of empowerment for indigenous organizations promoting sustainable change.