Source: all Africa
On 18 November 2015, UNAMID Gender Advisory Unit (GAU) in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund and Darfur states Security Council Resolution (SCR) 1325 committees, organized an open day to mark the 15th anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.

 

The event took place in El Fasher, North Darfur, and brought together some 175 women from all five Darfur states, representing the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), the government, legislators, academia, civil society organizations and displaced populations. UNAMID and United Nations Country Team staff members were also in attendance.

The Darfur-wide global Open Day consultation aimed at assessing the progress on the implementation of the SCR 1325 and its impact on women as well as mapping out on Sustainable Development Goals beyond 2015.

In his remarks on the occasion, UNAMID representative, Aderemi Adekoya, reiterated the Mission's commitment to continue its support to the state governments in their efforts to create an enabling environment for sustainable peace and development in Darfur. Mr. Adekoya also highlighted the importance of the women participation in the peace process. "UNSCR 1325 reaffirms the important role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts and in peace building," he stated.

Margaret Masenda-Simbi, Chief, UNAMID GAU, noted that such global open days provide opportunities for women in conflict-affected areas to present their concerns on the implementation of UNSCR 1325.

On her part, Suad Alzein, Acting Minister, Social Welfare, and representative of the North Darfur State Wali, commended the coordination between UNAMID and the Government of Sudan and expressed the Government's readiness to provide all the support to take the necessary measures to prevent violence agonist women.

The Heads of the UNSCR 1325 Darfur States committees called for effective participation of women in reconciliation mechanisms, decision-making institutions and the ongoing peace process in Darfur.

Furthermore, they highlighted challenges faced in the implementation of the Resolution. Participants also requested UNAMID GAU to continue its programmes aimed at strengthening the capacity of state institutions in promoting gender equality and women's rights.

• Sudan