Women, Peace & Security
Source: United Nations-African Union Mission to Darfur
On 12-13 November 2013, the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), in collaboration with the South Darfur State Ministry of Social Affairs, Culture and Information, held a two-day workshop in Nyala, South Darfur, for 77 community leaders to discuss issues related to gender and how to increase the participation of women in the Native Administration, given that less than one per cent of the traditional leaders in South Darfur are women.
In his opening remarks, UNAMID Acting Head of Office in South Darfur, Harish Joshi, cited the provisions of the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD) which calls for giving special priorities to women's representation in the social, political and administrative spheres. "Let's keep up to the international and national expectations on empowering our sisters in Darfur," he said.
The Wali (Governor) of South Darfur Maj. Gen. Adam Mahmoud Jar-Alnabi pledged his Government's support to women in all their constructive endeavours and expressed his regret over their suffering, saying that the tribal clashes have produced many widows and that the social fabric of Darfur community has been destroyed and it needs urgent mending.
UNAMID, in collaboration with the Office of the North Darfur State Governor's Advisory on Woman and Children Affairs, conducted a similar workshop in El Fasher, North Darfur, between 4 and 5 November. It was attended by more than 50 traditional leaders.