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.

These 16 days are very unique for all of us as human beings and as women in particular. They are a reminder to those who care about human and women’s rights to check our calendars and see how far we have come since both of these declarations. Have we done enough to honor them, or is there a lot more homework to be done?

Sadly, in recent history and in the current crisis in Darfur, war is too often waged on and with women’s bodies. In Darfur, where slaughter continues and insecurity has reigned supreme for over six years, women are the most common targets. Women and children make up the overwhelming majority of the camp population, estimated at eighty percent. Every week, innocent people in Darfur – especially children, women and the elderly – lose their lives or are forcibly displaced from their villages. Countless women and girls continue to face brutal rape, humiliation, beating, starvation and disease. As recently as October 2009, the UN Panel of Experts report showed that “sexual and gender-based violence is rampant.”

In Darfur, rape is being used as weapon of war. It is a systematic tactic to destroy the very fabric of our community. Sexual violence in Darfur is not the product of chaos or undisciplined troops. It is not an after-effect of war. It is a well-planned and orchestrated calculation to break apart families, tear down leadership structures and leave individuals and communities with long-term social, emotional, and physical scars. Women are raped when their villages are attacked, when they flee their homes seeking safe refuge and while they are living in camps for the internally displaced. Abduction and sexual slavery are also tactics used by the Sudanese government and its allied janjaweed militia.

This terrorizing of women, families and communities is not a nightmare – it is the reality of daily life in Darfur. Even when the firing of guns stops, rape does not. As the UN Panel of Experts report tells us, “an overwhelming concern expressed by internally displaced persons was the unchecked aggression by armed elements from Arab tribes, janjaweed, Government of the Sudan forces and other belligerent tribes, and the high rate of harassment and of sexual and gender-based violence. These fears are exacerbated by the apparent impunity these forces seem to enjoy, the ever-present memories of most internally displaced persons of grave human rights violations committed against them and the fact that many individuals commonly referred to as the janjaweed have not been disarmed and continue to brandish their weapons.”

Despite the alarming rate at which rape and sexual violence are used in the genocide in Darfur, little has been done to address this deadly phenomenon. Until today, there has been no study carried out to determine the number of women and girls in Darfur impacted by sexual violence, which is indeed beyond our imagination.  Trauma counseling and psychosocial support are unavailable to most women survivors of violence in Darfur. Also lacking are projects that could be designed to provide fuel alternatives for Darfuri women.  With these lacking, women leave camps to go in search of firewood for fuel and income and risk facing this cruel act of violence.

The expulsion of many NGOs from Darfur in March 2009 put women at risk more than ever before. Some of these NGOs were doing very important to address women’s emergency health and protection needs. While the programs were insufficient to address the scale of sexual violence in Darfur, they provided crucial services to many women and girls.

For years, the Government of Sudan has kept my people hostage and has obstructed any effort to put an end to the tragic situation in Darfur.  The government not only orchestrates crimes, but also denies the existence of sexual violence in Darfur even as its army and allied militias perpetrate rape day and night.

I feel the agony of my beloved ones and know the value of being a voice for those who are voiceless. This is why my organization chose to recognize those who make use of their voices, who stand up to say no to the dehumanization of women. Among the 16 Leaders we honor, some have been through similar experiences, like my sister and countrywoman Zeinab Eyega. While she fled Sudan after the brutal civil war in the South, the suffering hasn’t weakened her – instead it has given her more courage and confidence to stand up for the women of the continent of Africa, not only those from Sudan.

Zainab Salbi grew up in Iraq during its rule by one of the most notorious dictators of our time, where women could barely dream of having voices. But she saw beyond the borders of her home country. Today, as the co-founder and CEO of Women for Women International, she is standing in solidarity with women in conflict zones around the world, including my country Sudan.

Dr. Mohammed is a man of great principle who sacrificed his own safety to give hope to many others, including victims of torture and rape. Using his profession and compassion to heal and remedy their wounds, he brings women the possibility of going back to normal and rebuilding their communities. His contributions are indeed unique and deserve our recognition.

The former Ambassador Swanee Hunt has extended her help to the women of Bosnia and many more on continents far from her own homeland. Is this not amazing? Imagine finding someone advocating on your behalf from across the world, while you were abandoned by your own people.

By mentioning these leaders, I am hoping to highlight the unique experiences of our honorees and how they have struggled and sacrificed to do their great work. They set an example of the power of conscience in supporting, empowering and giving hope. For all their contributions to the betterment of others, these 16 leaders deserve our gratitude and recognition.

If we can find 16 voices within each continent, country, state or community to educate and raise the attention of their closest 16 friends and family members, we will make the world a better place for all of us to live in peace.

If every individual making up our united front just speaks loudly and says no to the abuse of women and girls everywhere, we will make the promise of “never again” become reality. While there are many famous people working for change, you don’t need to be recognized across the world to be a leader. I believe the voice of conscience can be even stronger and more meaningful coming from ordinary citizens who care.

I believe women are the center of the world community. If we can all come together to protect, educate and empower women, our planet will be safe enough to sustain us all.

Niemat Ahmadi is the Darfuri Liaison Officer for the Save Darfur Coalition

In the meantime, I wanted to share one of the paintings we received during the 16 Days. By Lori Khan, an activist in Houston, TX, this work is titled “Listen!” She writes: “I want the viewer to see the painting and to listen, if you will, to the cries of the victim [of rape] and, perhaps most importantly, take action to prevent the further victimization of women.  I chose the name ‘Listen!’ because it is a proactive word and the person depicted in the painting is speaking to the viewer, her words painted into the background of the painting.”

We look forward to featuring more powerful work like Lori’s, which speaks to what is happening on the ground in Sudan and bring new kinds of attention to the issue. Stay tuned…and email melissa@savedarfur.org if you have any ideas or additions.

“I was so impressed and heartened to read about your courageous work in Sudan. Please continue your vital role in the knowledge that women around the world support you and are inspired by your skill, vision and humanity.” -MR

“I have recently been informed by the Save Darfur campaign about the work you have been doing in helping to heal victims of sexual violence and torture in Darfur and would just like to applaud your efforts. I want you to know that you have the support of literally millions of people behind you as you go about on this extremely difficult work. When times get really tough, you can think about the ordinary people like me who admire and appreciate everything that you are doing. The world could use many more people like you, dedicating their lives to helping others. Thank you for everything that you have done.” -MH

“I am a physician in a busy LA county emergency department. I am participating in the 16 days of advocacy to eliminate violence against women. This kind of abuse is so common in our communities here in California and the United States in general. But it seems to be active at an entirely different level in other countries. I have been aware of the violence and rape directed against innocent mothers and daughters in the villages of Africa. Particularly places like Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Having worked in East and West Africa, I have personal experience treating women in the aftermath of this kind of violence. I am writing to encourage you to participate in this movement and to demonstrate, as a leader in our community, your commitment to this issue. Please consider standing up for the human rights of our sisters, mothers, and daughters in other countries as an example on this important issue. An issue which reflects how far we have to go as an international community.” –RM, MD

“I am writing to thank you for the incredible work you have done on behalf of the women of Darfur. Amid all the horrible news one hears from the region, yours is a bright light piercing the darkness of torture and sexual violence. You no doubt downplay your own contributions, but they are heroic to me. May my prayers and those of many others here in the United States help strengthen and encourage you in your continuing efforts to help and heal.” -AP

“I am writing to tell you that I am deeply grateful for your work on behalf of issues concerning gender violence and the empowerment of women, whether it be overseas or here at home. The news we see and read is indeed deeply troubling. Darfuri women are raped near their villages and in refugee camps. The Taliban continues its battles to prevent girls from earning an education. Here at home, too many mothers struggle to support and care for their children because of poverty, domestic abuse, or other challenges. However, I do see reason for hope in the children I serve every day as a public librarian. I meet children from all walks of life, and I see that all of them have the potential to be thriving, productive members of society. Empowering women and protecting them from violence also empowers such children. Mothers who have the tools and resources to support and educate their children can give their children healthier, happier environments in which to thrive and succeed. I thank you for all that you do to protect and empower women, whether they are mothers or not. As an American citizen, I feel it is our country’s duty to promote human rights and liberty, both at home and around the world. I truly appreciate all you do to help the United States live up to its reputation as a beacon for oppressed people around the world. The children of the people you serve will have better lives because of your work.” -ML

“I’m a minor living in a prosperous part of the United States … and it often feels like nothing I can do will make a difference. Even here, there is abuse and rape… and although I have not yet been personally affected by it, I get really scared to watch the news at night, wondering what else will have happened while I live sheltered. But you are working to change that. You are saving people. Reading about you on Save Darfur’s website, it was like someone walked up to me and handed me a Superman cape and said, “Look! You can fly now!” Okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating a little bit. But I feel like even though I don’t have much of a voice now, I should keep trying for other people who have even less of a say…I’m wearing the White Ribbon and on Monday I’ll be bringing in extra for my friends, so I can spread awareness. I know it’s not going to be as easy as that… but I’m going to keep trying. Thank you… so much.” -NL

“Your action to help Darfuri women is extremely selfless and motivational. Sometimes it’s easy for jobs like yours to become underappreciated, and sometimes even the workers no longer feel the value their job holds. I want to tell you that I appreciate your work. The women who live in Darfur in fear of rape, although they may not realize who is helping them, appreciate the work you’re doing as well. Please let me add my humble thanks to theirs.” -AAE

“I cannot fathom the tremendous suffering that you encounter every day, in your efforts to heal those who have survived the barbarous acts of spiritual cannibalism, physical torture, and debasement of their womanhood and manhood, by beings who are abominations of humanity. If I could, it would be my most fervent wish to have the medical training to fight by your side. But, alas, I don’t. Yet, I do stand with you in spirit and student activism, as a member of an anti-genocide organization called STAND at Arizona State University. What you are doing makes me realize our efforts are not for naught.” -KM

“I want to encourage you today as you work to help female victims of violence. Please know that you are making a difference in many lives. You are a living example of selfless service and leadership, and it is very much needed and appreciated in the world today. The world thanks you as it does all those who take responsibility and give of themselves, working to end fear and suffering. Keep up the good work!” -A

“I am a member of the Save Darfur Coalition and I am participating in the 16 Day Campaign to help females struggling in Darfur. I wanted to say how much it means to me that you fight for the rights of women and protection them as well. It is a great thing that not only I appreciate, but God does as well.” -TC
“Thank you for the work that you are doing to help the victims of torture and sexual violence in the Darfur region of the Sudan. In a culture that undervalues women, it gives me hope that one man has stood up to be part of the solution instead of part of the problem. I wish you continued success!” -AW

“I wanted to express my gratitude to you for helping raise awareness of the current situation in Darfur. I’m writing this letter because, as I’m pretty sure you know by now, you were selected as one of Save Darfur’s “16 Days of Activism” leaders against gender violence. I think what you do every time you speak out for Darfur is vital. I’ve even been asked once or twice, I think, what/where Darfur is, and it makes me really sad to think that some don’t even know about the violence and the intolerance that occur there every day. Raising awareness will definitely help bring about an end to the conflict. It has already helped the current situation; the government is starting to take firm action now. Anyway, thank you again for all your work in raising awareness of the situation in Darfur. I hope you will continue in the future.” -MV

“I commend you for all of your actions and efforts. We need more people like you in this world and I want you to know how much I appreciate your work. Being a woman who has traveled to Africa recently, I am pained by the prejudice and injustice going on in our world right now. I urge our representatives in Congress and our peacekeeping forces to take immediate action to quell the violence in Darfur and prevent it from arising again in the future. I hope you will take my request seriously and act accordingly. Thank you for your dedication and effort.” -CC

“I am writing to you from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I pray every day for peace, keep working.” -M

“Thank you for all of your efforts and your obvious love. The things you are doing are very much appreciated and you are a good role model for the rest of us. You have richly blessed all of us through your work.” -ML

“I sit at home, I work, I cook, I enjoy the pleasures and comforts of life. Despite losing my job as a teacher this year, I am happy, and have much to be grateful for. I have watched “Darfur Now,” I taught the basics of the conflict to my 9th grade students in world geography, I sign petitions, I share information with friends… BUT YOU – You are the ones who sacrifice a great deal of time of your own lives, to assist these innocent people who have been suffering and inevitably will continue to suffer as long as the world’s influential nations and organizations continue to look the other way and drag their feet. No matter one’s religion, or moral doctrine, I simply do not understand how any human being can sit back and hear about the conditions for these people without doing anything to help. I am grateful for your work, as are the many people who will one day experience the positive outcome you are working to bring. Thank you again, for all of your work. You all are kind people, with a great understanding of what it means to be a positive part of our global society. Your efforts are in my thoughts every day.” -JP

That is why today, Day 15 of the 16 Days, we honor NBC journalist Ann Curry for her in-depth reporting at the forefront of this issue.  She focuses on individual stories of the women caught in the conflict, giving a human face to the survivors and a voice to those who are often silenced.  In this way, Ann Curry embodies the journalistic tradition I was taught—she comforts the afflicted women by empowering them and sharing their stories, and afflicts those of us living comfortably by showing us the costs of our ignorance or perhaps our inadvertent compliance.

To observe the 15^th day of this campaign, I am writing to Dateline NBC to ask the producers to continue this excellent journalism by running a special on violence against women in Sudan.  While our televisions are awash with other things, is it important for us to not let the suffering of the women in Darfur be forgotten.  The only time the major networks should fail to run these stories is when they are no longer necessary—when violence against women ceases in Darfur.  That is why I hope you will join me in writing to Dateline NBC (Dateline@nbcuni.com).  If enough of us show a determination to bring back the voices of those women in Darfur, we can tune in to an important issue instead of who is gaining weight in Hollywood.

Britney Schultz is a Communications Intern at the Save Darfur Coalition.

Having spent my childhood in Nigeria, I remember my grandparent’s sharing their memories of the Nigerian Biafra War that claimed more than a million lives. The reason they told their story was not merely to fill the air with loose talk, but to teach us the role we ought to play in preventing future atrocities. There is no greater calling in life than to help your neighbor at their weakest or most vulnerable moment; and to fight great injustice no matter where it is. Now, with years of conflict and suffering in Darfur, I am once inspired by survivors’ stories – this time I am compelled to take action on behalf of those suffering in Sudan.

Today I reached out to just one of the leaders of this country with the power to help bring the Darfur genocide to an end. In my phone call and twitter message to Congressman Moran I asked him to lead efforts to restore unrestricted humanitarian access in Darfur and prioritize the return of services for survivors of gender based violence. I hope that you contact your representative and encourage them to be advocates for the people of Darfur and to end the violence against women.

Stalin famously said that “one death is a tragedy, one million is a statistic.” Unfortunately, these words often ring true – not only in the international community’s reaction to mass killing, but in how we react to mass sexual violence. While statistics are hard to come by and those who were to collect them have been either expelled or intimidated by the Sudanese government, we know that thousands upon thousands of women in Darfur have been raped by governmental forces and the janjaweed militias. But this story of mass rape is actually a much more horrifying story – it is the story of a single rape, an unbearable experience that no one should have to suffer through, experienced thousands and thousands of times.  In many ways, it is harder to read or hear a single testimony than to write a paper about its prevalence. This understanding was at the core of my apprehension – to read is not only to know, but to embody an experience for a certain time. What euphemism and convention can obscure, the written word lays bare. This is the source of its power.

Tears of the Desert is, however, a majestically crafted memoir – one which I am a fuller person for reading. For the past four years, I have studied the history of genocide intently and for the past two I have been engaged in research on genocide memorialization, both formal and informal, in Rwanda. In a period of six weeks, I traveled to nearly every recognized memorial in the country – frequently traveling to four memorials, attending a remembrance ceremony and conducting several hours of survivor interviews in a single day. At that time, I realized that if I could not construct walls between myself and what I was studying, the reality of the situation would cripple me. At the same time, the reality is what spurs you to action. It is a strange and frequently uncomfortable tightrope to walk – between feeling and acting, between policy and testimony. And in the past year or so, in order to act and to write analytically, I constructed walls which became, at times, too large for me to see beyond. Tears of the Desert forced me to surrender this distance. The capacity for genuine compassion – literally “to feel with” in Latin – and to verbalize thought are the two elements that distinguish human beings from our animal counterparts. In many ways, this surrender was a kind of return to a deeper humanity – one which provokes pain, but also understanding, kindness, empathy and action.

For much of Bashir’s memoir, she speaks about her family, friends and community – the close relationship she shared with her encouraging father, her stubborn and fiery grandmother and her love of learning. While the details were different – from the kinds of food her family ate to the games they played as children – the broader relationships and experiences of her youth reminded me much of my own. It is through this kind of relation – our profound affection for the young Halima that her writing provokes – that the losses she suffers, the things she sees and the rapes she experiences later on are written so much more closely to our own hearts. Often people think of the genocide in Darfur and the violence in other parts of Sudan as remote, intangible and inapproachably complex. But Tears of the Desert, by telling a single story, reminds us that the women experiencing this suffering are intrinsically related to us – their relationships, desires and aspirations before the genocide were the same as our own, our sisters’ and our friends’.

Activists often speak about a moment of obligation – when they first realized that they could no longer “sit idly by.” My first moment of obligation  was when I read We Wish to Inform You Tomorrow We Will Be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda by Phillip Gourevitch. That day in tenth grade, I made a choice to dedicate my life to working to prevent genocide and mass atrocities. In the years since then, I have become tired, frustrated and, at times, cynical at the lack of progress we as a human community have made. Reading Halima Bashir’s gorgeously written, deeply affecting and brave memoir was my second moment of obligation. Bashir’s story shows us that, as activists, we can never forget that people - their right to freedom, to have the kind of lives that they want to live - are at the center of our work. This is what we’re fighting for.

When I arrived, I was warned he might not have much time for me — votes were on the horizon.  And all too soon, I was rushed into his inner sanctum and it was just the two of us.  I managed to gasp out a couple questions, taking notes as fast as I could; and then the bells rang.  The bells, of course, indicated that he had to go vote.  I immediately assumed that my time with the Congressman was up.  But after talking a few more minutes, he jumped out of his chair, said “come with me,” and we were on a fast-paced jaunt; me trying to keep up and ask questions all at the same time.  Upon reaching the Capitol, he deposited me, ran to vote, and came back to finish the interview.  I was genuinely astonished that he had taken so much time to talk to me and answer my questions.  Later, I wrote him a thank-you note; I received a handwritten notecard back saying he hoped I received a good grade on the paper “despite the interviewee.”  I was impressed, but still a little dumbfounded as to why he would spend so much effort on one 18-year old college student when he had over 600,000 constituents back home.

Little did I know then that the jittery encounter would not be my last with the Congressman.  I eventually spent the better part of six years working on foreign policy issues for him.  That experience in turn opened the opportunity to represent the Save Darfur Coalition before Congress.  But I’ve always felt fortunate I had that first experience of being on the other side — of being the constituent in the room — because it allows me to understand what many Darfur activists must feel when they go to meet their Congressional officials.

My subsequent time on the Hill enlightened me to why the Congressman chose to go out of his way that day — I was a constituent.  Although not wholly without reason, too many of the stories about Congress are about the supposedly immense access lobbyists have.  But in my experience, constituents are the ones who get first-class treatment by their Members of Congress.  Because people see their Congressional officials on TV, in parades, or speaking on the Floor of the House, they forget that the elected official actually works for them — but elected officials, the smart ones anyway, never forget that fact.

On Day 11 of the “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” I wanted to use my own experience to demonstrate the impact you can have by simply calling or visiting your Member of Congress.   Some people think I have the easiest job in Washington — I lobby against genocide, what could possibly be easier than that?  It’s true that there are no pro-genocide Members of Congress, that the pro-Bashir caucus is a mighty quiet one.  But what we at Save Darfur lobby against, and what we encourage Sudan activists to lobby against, is inaction and indifference in the face of genocide; in the face of gender-based violence.  And we need your help to do it.

Today’s highlighted Leaders Against Gender Violence are two Members of Congress who have taken it upon themselves to refuse to allow inaction and indifference in the face of gender based violence.  Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) are two longstanding champions for Darfuris, and they jointly held a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on “Confronting Rape and other Forms of Violence Against Women in Conflict Zones: Spotlight DRC and Sudan,” earlier this year.  Save Darfur’s own Niemat Ahmadi, a Darfuri survivor, testified at the hearing at which the Senators present pressed for more State Department action in the wake of the horrible crimes that continue to be committed.

Support for ending the violence in genocide is strong in Congress.  But it can always be stronger.  So on this day, I ask you to consider contacting your Senators to urge them to make ending gender-based violence in Darfur a personal priority.  My fearful first encounter opened up a world of possibilities — imagine what yours might be able to do for the women of Darfur.

Women’s groups in Khartoum are working together to push for reform of north Sudan’s criminal laws on rape and adultery. Despite all of the difficulties that they face, they are taking positive steps forward and using the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence to launch their campaign.

A new network of Sudanese women’s organizations calling itself “the section 149 alliance” has come together to advocate for reform of section 149 of north Sudan’s Penal Code. Section 149 is one of the huge problems that face northern Sudanese women, including Darfuri women, who want to report a rape. This section of the criminal code mixes up the offences of rape and adultery.

As Refugees International reported back in 2007, the criminal system in north Sudan makes it almost impossible to prosecute rape cases successfully. The crime of rape is difficult to prove in most criminal systems, but in north Sudan many judges require four adult male witnesses to testify that a rape took place. Such evidence is of course almost impossible to obtain. Sadly, reporting rape brings stigma onto survivors in almost all countries. But in north Sudan, women have even more to fear than the stigma. Sudanese women are scared to report rape because they could themselves be prosecuted for adultery if the rape prosecution fails. For an unmarried woman the punishment for adultery is 100 lashes; for a married woman the punishment is death by stoning. This is obviously an enormous disincentive for rape survivors to come forward.

So it is good news that women’s groups in Sudan are campaigning to change this system. They are pointing out to lawmakers in Sudan that the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between north and south Sudan requires them to change their laws to bring them in line with international human rights. The current laws on rape and adultery in north Sudan are clearly in violation of international human rights laws. There are many Islamic religious scholars who have stated that Islamic law does not prevent reform of these rape and adultery laws. It is heartening to see that Sudanese women’s groups are standing up for the rights of rape survivors and calling on their politicians to reform these unjust

Melanie Teff is an Advocate with Refugees International.

Reading and thinking deeply about this reality for Sudanese women is not easy, but it is incredibly important.  Workable solutions depend on a thorough understanding the problem with all its nuances; effective advocacy does as well.  As a person who cares about ending GBV and helping survivors, I have a responsibility to be well-versed in what precisely is happening and what can be done to stop it.

Violence against women gets a decent amount of media coverage, but too often the stories focus only on the problem and never get to how we can combat it.  Our job as advocates is to work for action.  The papers painstakingly written by organizations such as Refugees International (today’s 16 Days honoree) are not just horror stories.  By evaluating how past and current efforts to help have worked (or, rather, not), they point the way forward.  They break down this big, scary issue into the specific barriers to combating GBV and make concrete recommendations that we can rally around.

As activists, the single best thing we can do is be well-informed.  When we talk to friends, family, and strangers we want to be able to tell them more than just that GBV is happening in Sudan, we want to engage them and explain what specifically can be done.  So, today, I am taking time to read the reports.  Join me!