Women Building Peace: The Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace in By Zaynab ElSawi

from Changing Their World 2nd edition Edited by Srilatha Batliwala Scholar Associate, AWID

Building Feminist Movements and Organizations

2011 This case study was produced by AWID’s Building Feminist Movements and Organizations (BEFMO) Initiative These publications can be found on the AWID website: www.awid.org

Changing their World 1st Edition

Contains case studies: Against All Odds: The Building of a Women’s Movement in the Islamic Republic of Iran By Homa Hoodfar The Dalit Women’s Movement in India: Dalit Mahila Samiti By Jahnvi Andharia with the ANANDI Collective Domestic Workers Organizing in the United States By Andrea Cristina Mercado and Ai-jen Poo Challenges Were Many: The One in Nine Campaign, South By Jane Bennett  as Movers and Shakers: The Network of Centres in the By Suranjana Gupta The Demobilization of Women’s Movements: The Case of Palestine By Islah Jad The Piquetera/o Movement of Argentina By Andrea D’Atri and Celeste Escati GROOTS By Awino Okech The European Romani Women’s Movement—International Roma Women’s Network By Rita Izsak

Changing their World 2nd Edition Contains four new case studies: The Seeds of a Movement—Disabled Women and their Struggle to Organize By Janet Price GALANG: A Movement in the Making for the Rights of Poor LBTs in the Philippines By Anne Lim The VAMP/SANGRAM Sex Worker’s Movement in India’s Southwest By the SANGRAM/VAMP team Women Building Peace: The Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace (SuWEP) in Sudan By Zaynab ElSawi

Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation for Women’s Rights: Twelve Insights for Donors By Srilatha Batliwala

Capturing Change in Women’s Realities: A Critical Overview of Current Monitoring and Evalu- ation Frameworks and Approaches By Srilatha Batliwala and Alexandra Pittman Acronyms

CMP Sudanese Mission for Peace CPA Comprehensive Peace Agreement GOS Government of Sudan IGAD Inter-Governmental Authority on Development NDA National Democratic Alliance NSCC New Sudan Council of Churches RNE Royal Netherlands Embassy SPLM/A Sudanese People Liberation Movement / Army SuWEP Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace SWAN Sudanese Women’s Association in Nairobi SWVP Sudanese Women Voice for Peace

The Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) is an international feminist, membership organization committed to achieving gender equality, sustainable development and women’s human rights. AWID’s mission is to strengthen the voice, impact and influence of women’s rights advocates, organizations and movements internationally to effectively advance the rights of women.

Author: Zaynab ElSawi Editor: Srilatha Batliwala Proofreader: Kate Miller Designer: Storm. Diseño + Comunicación

© 2011 Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)

This publication may be redistributed non-commercially in any media, unchanged and in whole, with credit given to AWID and the author. Published by Association for Women’s Rights in Development (AWID) Toronto, Mexico City, Cape Town.

This publication is available online at www.awid.org This publication is also available online in French and Spanish. Original publication in English July 2011.

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AWID gratefully acknowledges the generous support of Cordaid, Hivos, Levi Strauss Foundation, MDG3 Fund (Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Oxfam Novib, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and an anonymous contributor. Changing their World: Concepts and Practices of Women’s Movements, 2nd ed. v Introduction

Women Building Peace: The Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace (SuWEP) in Sudan By Zaynab ElSawi SuWEP Coordinator Salmmah Women’s Resource Center Khartoum

Introduction

The armed conflict between North and has deeply affected the daily lives of Sudanese women for decades. Not only did the conflict thrust them into becoming heads of households and as internally displaced people (IDP) or refugees, they also found themselves faced with the challenge of promoting peace and a different future for Sudan. Their journey to envision a peaceful resolution to the North-South conflict in the Sudan has been rough and uncertain. Yet, Sudanese women’s determination was informed by the necessity to act and their participation in past political struggles. During the 1990s, Sudanese women from both north and south, started coming together. This eventually led to the forma- tion of the Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace (SuWEP), an umbrella body bringing together women from the two regions, and also from different ethnic, socio-economic and political backgrounds. It was only in 2005 that the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) officially ended the 22-year long war between the northern-based Government of Sudan and the southern-based Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). While providing some insights about the origins and the impacts of the conflict in Sudan, this article is mainly an attempt to tell the story of Sudanese women’s involvement in the peace processes before and after the initiative of SuWEP. It will explore the roles SuWEP played as a feminist movement through the analysis of the tools and approaches developed by the women’s groups to make their voices heard. Noting the importance of the contribution of a wide range of Sudanese women and men, the author also acknowledges that the full story of this journey for peace may never be fully told nor known.

Sudan at a glance: Genesis of Arab, Beja, Dinka, Fur, Nubian, Nuer and several others. Nomadic and sedentary cultures influence a conflict and its impacts tribal organization, economic activities and the daily lives of both women and men. The gender Located at the crossroads of the African and the relations in Sudan are diverse and dynamic. They Arab worlds, Sudan is both rich and cursed by its reflect the diversity of cultures and social relations diversity. As the largest African country, its climate throughout the country. ranges from a dry desert in the north to a lush, fer- Sudan achieved its independence from Great tile south. Its population of 39 million is divided be- Britain in 1956. Already during that period, Sudan tween Islam, Christianity and Animism with the lat- had one of the earliest and most vigorous wom- ter two being mainly practiced in the South of the en’s movements in the Arab and African worlds. country. Despite the predominantly Arab-African From the 1950s to the 1970s, the women’s move- dichotomy, Sudan is a very diverse society with a ment in Sudan was successful in securing and mix of more than 500 ethnic identities that include extending basic legal rights to women. Women’s

Changing their World: Concepts and Practices of Women’s Movements, 2nd ed. 1 Sudan at a glance: Genesis of a conflict and its impacts  The struggle for peace: Sudanese women’s involvement in peace processes

participation in the October 1964 Revolution and households and the breakdown of traditional sup- husband died in Kenya. During the war, she had country came to a standstill, with a serious reduc- the April 1985 Intifada was important to the suc- port systems. A baseline survey funded by USAID been raped and physically abused by the soldiers tion of cultivable areas and water sources. Huge cess of democratic changes. However, their roles in 2004 revealed that one-fifth of the families in several times. When she arrived at the camp, she numbers of cattle were lost during the war, thus and abilities were never recognized and promoted three southern Sudan provinces were headed by was psychologically broken because she had ex- undermining the lifestyle of pastoralist tribes like by the authorities. women. New social norms thus emerged under perienced numerous rapes by the soldiers of the the Nuer and Dinka. In the north, women had also which men would no longer take up their traditional People's Liberation Army. The recollection of this Yet, the colonial period had already sown the been living in extreme poverty and were denied es- experience would make her tremble as soon as seed for future wrath and discontent. The divisions roles even when they were available. Extraordinary sential subsistence services due to an economy she would see a man wearing a military uniform. between northern and southern Sudan were ex- demands and workloads have therefore negatively weakened by large military expenditure and a huge We worked together to rehabilitate her mentally acerbated during the colonial period. It was illegal affected women’s health and reduced the chance foreign debt that had to be serviced. In 2002, it so that she could forget the tragedy and accept for people living in one region to move to the other. of getting educated. Women who remained was reported that widespread forced servitude the boy she had bore as a result of one of her The mistrust between the southern and northern inside Sudan during the war were sometimes imposed by Muraheleen militia affected mostly rapes. I helped her understanding that it was not Sudanese could only grow with the exploitation of forced to provide food for the warring factions women and children. Refugees and displaced the child's fault. I also helped her overcoming her the southerners by North Sudan through unequal and often become the sole caretakers of children, women in the north have few economic opportuni- fear of people wearing military uniforms so that she trade, political marginalization and lack of respect the sick and elderly. Prolonged conflicts have also ties. A UNDP study found out that 80% of women could go on with her life and never make the child for Southerners’ traditional values. Even though impoverished many families since they were un- in Omdurman women’s prison in Khartoum were bear other people's mistakes". the South began to ask for its political autonomy able to engage in gainful development activities. there for prostitution or brewing illicit alcohol, both before the country got its independence, the North When they escape from fighting, women become In addition to the massive number of deaths, strategies for basic survival. Another serious im- has repeatedly ignored its demands. The most internally displaced and live as refugees away from the country was also going through major social pact has been the spread of small firearms in the recent conflict between North and South Sudan their homes. ruptures and challenges. Basic infrastructure and region - the millions of small weapons in the hands started in 1983, although it was mainly a continua- While in the refugee camps, displaced women services such as hospitals, schools, roads and of the civilian population, militias and soldiers are tion of the of 1955 to 1972. without financial resources often resort to prostitu- markets were were devastated or destroyed. As believed to contribute to the spread and sustaining tion - trading sex for money. Studies have shown Mary Nyaulang recalled: “We were on the run for of a culture of conflict and violence in Sudan and It was the 1972 Addis Ababa agreement that that women who were widowed during the war more than 14 days when the war broke out. I deliv- the region. secured a decade of relative peace between North were particularly vulnerable to prostitution, which ered my baby while on the run. Just imagine me, a and South Sudan. Yet, the discovery of oil in the became one of their means of survival. Sexual pregnant waiting for the baby to come as I late 1970s in South Sudan had the potential to re- abuse at the hands of humanitarian agency staff was fleeing from war. I had no energy and no food. ignite the fire. Then in 1983, the Numeiri regime in The struggle for peace: is common among the women when they are in This is why some women died when giving birth Khartoum called for the imposition of Sharia Laws refugee camps. Women and girls were also sub- under such circumstances.” Sudanese women’s across the country. In 1983, under the leadership ject to sexual assault when they left camps to fetch involvement in peace of the late Dr. John Garang, Southern Sudanese The ongoing lack of confidence between North firewood or water, or were abducted and disap- channeled their frustration through the formation and South Sudan was also due to the atrocities processes peared. Abduction of women and children is said of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and committed during the war. This is recalled by Bea- to be a common tactic in inter-tribal conflicts in the the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLM/A), trice Aber Samson** who tells her story about the Over the years, efforts to restore peace - particu- south. Soldiers and militia members were encour- and a repetition of the first Sudanese civil war was war with some pain and pride: "When the military larly between the government in Khartoum and the aged to commit offences like rape given the culture on its way. operations in the South began to be more inten- SPLM/A- have been an uphill task. In 1993, a ray of silence and lack of mechanisms for dealing with sive and aggressive, my mother was sick and she of hope came with the establishment of the Inter- The conflict took place between 1983 and rape allegations. Rape has brought with it a high could not escape from the bombing like the other Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), 2005, for most of the part in southern Sudan, and risk of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS civilians. She fell into the hands of the govern- killed over 1.9 million civilians, while more than 4 infection among the women. In the south Sudan, a regional conflict resolution and development ment's soldiers who beat her and broke her legs body that was to sponsor efforts to end the civil million southerners were forced to flee their homes HIV/AIDS infection rates are reported to have al- and arrested my father who was later killed. Our and seek refuge in the north of the country or in ready reached epidemic levels. war in Sudan through a series of peace talks be- tragic situation continued for a week until my sis- tween the government forces in Khartoum and the neighboring countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea There are many stories told of the suffering ters and I managed to move our mother away with and . A majority of the displaced people SPLM/A. In 1994, IGAD drafted a Declaration of of women during this war time. Phoebe Yona,* the help of some vehicles leaving out of Juba." Principles (DOP) that included separation of state were women and children. Echoing what had been involved with the Sudanese Women in Nairobi experienced some years before. The economy was not spared either. Till today, and religion and the recognition of the right of self- (SWAN), was providing guidance and counsel- Sudan ranks among the poorest countries in the determination for the south. From 1994 onwards, Apart from changing traditional gender roles in ing to other refugees like her. Phoebe recalled a region. Many years of civil war has left southern peace talks continued at different times. For ex- the south, the war also increased women’s work- tragic story: “I was counseling a woman who came Sudan impoverished as the development of the ample, on October 29th, 1997, peace talks opened load, the number of single parent/women-headed through Uganda. She had three children and her

*. Phoebe Yona, Women and political activist, one of the women who ran for the last elections in the South, from an **. Beatrice Aber Samson, a member of the peace movement in Southern Sudan, is a war refugee who became a interview conducted with her in Juba, Feb. 2010 within the framework of documenting for SuWEP. peace activist. 2 Women Building Peace: The Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace (SuWEP) in Sudan Changing their World: Concepts and Practices of Women’s Movements, 2nd ed. 3 The struggle for peace: Sudanese women’s  Women’s peace building efforts in the Sudan before SuWEP involvement in peace processes

in Nairobi. They resumed in February 2000 but men would reach compromises that were actually 6. Women’s attempts at peace building often go Initially, members of the Nuba Women for Peace ended after five days when the rebels accused the influenced by the women’s expectations, even if undocumented and unrecognized by organiza- worked on peace issues and advocacy, with most Sudan government of indiscriminate attacks on women’s public involvement was greatly restricted tions involved in conflict resolution. of their work being carried out through the church civilians. On July 20, 2002 when the government and culturally prohibited. 7. There is a need to involve women as major and church networks. Besides, the group was also and SPLM/A signed the Machakos Protocol, the It was women’s exhaustion from the impact of stakeholders in mechanisms for conflict man- involved in community mobilization to enhance need to hold a referendum on South Sudan’s self- continuing conflict that eventually made them unite agement and resolution because their active women’s role in governance and economic em- determination was acknowledged. Seven days lat- their voices to speak out about their suffering and participation in peacemaking is known to modi- powerment. er, Sudanese president Bashir met with the rebel concerns. In the words of Dr. Pauline Riack, who fy and influence the vision of conflicting parties. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) con- chief, John Garang for the first time. On October is now the head of the Anti-Corruption Commis- centrated more on women’s rights. As a result, th 8. Finally, women in Sudan represent more than 15 , the government and SPLM/A signed a cease- sion with the South Sudan Government: “It was their efforts, like those of Women Empowerment th 50% of the population; therefore their input fire, the first such truce. On September 25 of the a matter of Sudanese women coming together in for Peace Group, went towards developing analy- same year, the government and SPLM/A signed into peacemaking will add value to the ongoing a foreign land [Kenya], or sinking and dying.” It is peace process. sis of national laws and to denounce those that a security deal, clearing a major stumbling block from this premise that Sudanese women decided infringed women’s active participation in decision- in peace talks. In January 2004, the government to become active in conflict resolution. making. Their aim was to bring about a more and the rebels signed an accord on how to share Even before the United Nation’s Security Coun- democratic regime in Sudan where women could wealth in the Sudan. The signing of the Compre- Women’s peace building be equal to men. Members of the NDA were also hensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in January 2005 cil Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Secu- 1 concerned about the war in the country, espe- marked the formal conclusion of the 22-year long rity came into being , Sudanese women decided efforts in the Sudan before to organize to bring forward their demands as their cially in the Nuba Mountains region. This concern civil war between the Sudanese Government and SuWEP led them to promote a culture of peace through the SPLM/A. discontent over their systemic and systematic ex- clusion from peace processes grew. They did so awareness building on the negative impacts of war These factors reversed the trend which had acknowledging that: Before the Royal Netherlands Embassy (RNE) of- on society. Similar scenarios occurred with groups seen Sudanese women gaining some influence ficially started providing support for the SuWEP from the Southern Sector, with several Sudanese over political decisions with some democratic ad- organizations giving greater focus to peace activi- 1. It is first and foremost women who suffer dur- initiative, Sudanese women were already aware of vancement in the 1960s. Politics continued to be their social, economic and political marginalization. ties. Groups like SWAN and SPLM had also been seen as men’s domain - especially in the Islamic ing wars or conflicts. Because of this, they are actively involved with peace issues with women at best placed to act as agents for in a conclusive They were equally aware that they were the most regions of the country, where it is culturally unac- oppressed in their society. They were not allowed the grassroots. ceptable for women of childbearing age to appear peace process, and to spread of a culture of peace in the country. to engage in any decision-making processes and Though many women in Sudan were already in front of an audience. Thus the number of wom- had been subordinated by a culture that did not involved in peacemaking before the formation of en’s political organizations remained low. And even 2. Despite the suffering that Sudanese women recognize their rights. Women were often stereo- SuWEP, they were faced with a number of ob- though the conflicts challenged and transformed have endured, their problems are rarely dis- typed as weak and without power or influence in stacles mainly relating to lack of funding, lack of various gender roles, the traditional perception of cussed. Instead, they are excluded from deci- the community and in inter-community affairs. To international recognition and their capacity to deal women’s quiet and invisible role continued. Exclu- sion-making processes relating to conflict pre- liberate themselves from all these stereotypes and with peace processes and security issues - during sion of women from peace forums has been com- vention, resolution and management. constraints, Sudanese women realized that they those years, talking about peace was considered mon since most of the women affected by war 3. Women have always played an important role had to break from the traditional yoke and rec- a security issue. Therefore, women who wanted to are illiterate and tend to remain on the periphery in peace mediation and conflict transformation ognize their rights as human rights. Thus, before be active on peace issues faced harassment, were of decision-making processes. Moreover, women in the Sudan by influencing their spouses and SuWEP was established, women’s groups - some followed by security agents, and even constrained in the rural areas are far less educated compared relatives; therefore women could have a posi- now representing current political parties- were al- from travelling. As the Dutch embassies in Khar- to those in the urban areas, or lack awareness of tive impact on the peace and reconciliation dia- ready actively involved with grassroots communi- toum and Nairobi were aware of these constraints, what is really happening in the country, exacer- logues in Sudan. ties in efforts to sensitize them on their marginal- they provided assistance to facilitate those peace- bated by the men’s attitude, which regards peace 4. Women’s commitment to achieving recognition ized status. making activities. These two embassies provided talks as “men’s talks”. Thus women could only play a number of training workshops to increase the an indirect role in conflict resolution. Exceptions and respect of their fundamental rights must be In the Northern sector, a group like the Women regarded as an integral part of the pursuit of Empowerment for Peace and Development Net- women’s skills in lobbying, conflict resolution, di- were made for elderly women, who were allowed plomacy, and trauma counseling. to speak in public and have men listen to them. But peace. work had been busy sensitizing women about their women had other opportunities to influence peace 5. Women are the nurturers of values like forgive- democratic rights in order to encourage them to Furthermore, family and traditional peace mech- processes - for example, men would consult their ness, tolerance, cooperation, respect and ac- take part in decision-making. They had also be- anisms had been eroded. Systems of kinship had women as wives, mothers or sisters on important ceptance of others, all of which are conducive gun to be involved in analyzing laws that were dis- been replaced by civic organizations that lacked decisions to be made. From such consultations, to peace amongst and between groups. criminatory against women. For the Nuba Women female representation and a relation to the home- for Peace, the proximity with some of the rebels land, especially when they were based outside the who had returned into the area motivated them to war-affected areas. The role of intermarriage, inter- focus on awareness-raising about peace in an ef- cultural assimilation and traditional conflict resolu- 1. See www.un.org/events/res_1325e.pdf fort to reconcile the rebels and the government. tion had changed because of interventions from 4 Women Building Peace: The Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace (SuWEP) in Sudan Changing their World: Concepts and Practices of Women’s Movements, 2nd ed. 5 The birth of SuWEP as a feminist movement  Structure of the Movement

outside. Finally, mobility was limited, especially for Within this context, SuWEP has emerged as a interested in replicating with Sudanese women their by the Maastricht Declaration. The Minimum Agenda women, due to the military and political situation. social movement based on pursuing a common past experience in bringing together Israeli and Pal- for Peace was the first official document developed Therefore, travel could only take place under ex- political agenda for change through collective ac- estinian women. There was already ad hoc peace by SuWEP. In the words of one participant, Mary tremely hostile circumstances between the North- tion. SuWEP gathered women from all parts of building work occurring among women’s groups Nyaulang: “Coming together as the women of Su- ern and Southern Sudan and within the Southern the Sudan under one umbrella, creating peace in the North and South of the country as well as dan was not an easy thing. First, we could not agree Sudan. Difficulties were encountered when cross- among them and resolving grudges and pain. The in Nairobi. With the RNE’s involvement, it became on the issues we were going to address. We could ing lines of conflict or operating from neighboring strength women gained from SuWEP encouraged known as the “Dutch Initiative for Peace.” With the not agree on a common agenda.” Nevertheless, countries. them to seek peace and demand their inclusion in involvement of Inter-Governmental Authority on through their determination and ability to build trust peace negotiations and representation in decision- Development (IGAD), it was then renamed “Engen- and respect among each other, women who once making positions so as to guarantee sustainable dering the Peace Process.” Finally, in 2001, women belonged to opposite factions were able to come The birth of SuWEP as peace. decided to adopt the name of Sudanese Women together. According to Naeema Agabna from the The idea behind the formation of SuWEP goes Empowerment for Peace – or SuWEP – as a way of North sector “Through SuWEP, Sudanese women a feminist movement as far back as 1994 when Southern Sudanese establishing their ownership of the initiative. In the managed to work together and develop their mini- Women in Nairobi (SWAN) came together to brain- framework of this initiative, nine working commit- mum agenda even before the government of Sudan As mentioned earlier, the women’s movement in storm on ways and means of ending the longest tees were identified in Khartoum and Nairobi repre- and SPLM started negotiating.” Sudan emerged from the anti-colonial and nation- and most dehumanizing conflict in the world and senting the different communities or political parties After its emergence, SuWEP decided to launch alist movements that were at the heart of social to foster sustainable peace in the Sudan. At the in Sudan. Through these committees, Sudanese the following actions: changes during the 1950s and 1960s in Sudan. time, many Sudanese Civil Society Organiza- women received training in conflict resolution and It was through this liberation struggle that Suda- tions such as Sudanese Women Voice for Peace mediation skills. The Initiative also facilitated several Develop a broad culture of peace at all levels: in nese women were able to secure their political and (SWVP), New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC), joint meetings and visits for Sudanese women of the refugee camps, among political parties, with economic rights and some of their social rights. and New Sudan Women Federation (NSWA), Su- the Northern and Southern sectors aiming to look community leaders, and others; Throughout these two decades, the Sudan Wom- danese Women Association in Nairobi (SWAN) for ways to support women’s participation in the Empower women to contribute to just, sustain- en Union (SWU) was the only body that consistent- and the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement peace processes and to lobby with international able and peaceful resolution to the conflict; ly called for the respect of women’s rights. Their participants for support. (SPLM) Women Movement and Sudanese Mission Educate women in mediation and negotiation successes were high jacked by the Nimeiry regime for Peace (CMP) were involved. However, the ini- An organized constituency of Sudanese wom- skills to enable effective participation of women when his government decided to create its own tial attempts at forging a unified intervention in the en’s groups was created in order to make this in non-violent conflict resolution. “Sudan Women Union” in 1971. This “new” SWU peace process had gravitated around the Suda- initiative a success. Five groups in Khartoum and would no longer challenge the government policies nese Women’s Association in Nairobi (SWAN) who four groups based in Nairobi were formed. Establish links and networks with relevant inter- and could no longer be considered as a neutral had been seen as a pressure group away from national organizations and the media, to support actor in the promotion of women’s rights. The old home to call for peace in a foreign land. SWAN The Southern sector based in Nairobi were: and advocate for a just and sustainable peace. SWU was forced to work underground. There was was established in 1992 by a group of displaced 1. Sudanese people democratic front (SPDF) Value and respect for cultural, ethnic, religious no longer a Sudanese platform for women with Sudanese women and some women in the Army women group and linguistic diversity as an empowering re- progressive ideas to come together. (SPLA) who met in Nairobi and decided that de- 2. Sudanese people liberation movement source for the Sudanese society as a whole. The war between North and South started spite their different ethnic, religious and political (SPLM) united women group again in 1983, and after the 1989 coup d’état, backgrounds, strength could be established be- 3. Nonpartisan women group the war became more of an Islamic jihad, or holy cause of their common fate. They had a mission of 4. Sudanese women voice for peace group Structure of the Movement war. This shift was also marked by the accelera- uniting the Sudanese and those in tion of a culture of war promoted by the state and the warring zones in a participatory manner. They The five groups in the Northern sector based in in which women were instrumental. For example, were hoping to enable these groups to identify their Khartoum were: SuWEP has all the characteristics of a movement: the newly established Sudanese Women General priorities and formulate strategies so that solutions 1. Sudanese women civil society network for it comprises an organized constituency of women Union, formed under the Bashir regime in 1991, could be found in a dignified, collaborative and cul- peace coming together to achieve the very gendered po- promoted a culture of war and mobilized women turally appropriate manner. Even though the initial 2. National democratic alliance groups (mainly litical goal of a democratic Sudan that enjoys sus- into its jihadist propaganda and vision. The SWGU focus of SWAN was mainly groups from South Su- of political parties women sectors) tainable peace and development, based on prin- members would gather to sing songs in support of dan, after 1998, they initiated links with Northern 3. National working committee for peace (main- ciples of gender equality and justice. The women the soldiers, spontaneously give their gold to sup- groups and became more inclusive. ly government representatives) believe in one vision and mission in spite of the port the war with a campaign named the “moun- At the end of 1997, the government of the Neth- 4. Nuba women group for peace fact of their different geographical locations, politi- tain of gold”, organized food for the mujaheddeen, erlands through the Royal Netherlands Embassy 5. Southern women group for peace cal affiliations, and religious beliefs. SuWEP has its the soldiers of the holy war. Women were also en- (RNE) in Sudan and Kenya initiated a facilitation pro- roots within the history of the Sudanese women’s couraged to send their sons to war and the death cess in support of Sudanese women engendering Under the auspices of IGAD, during their Interna- movement from the late 1940s, which was led by of young men would be celebrated in the “wed- ongoing peace-building efforts. The Netherlands tional Conference in April 2000, Sudanese women women who advocated for women’s issues that ding of martyrs” ceremony. Government, working through their embassies, was developed the Minimum Agenda for Peace, followed paved the way for women’s formal involvement in

6 Women Building Peace: The Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace (SuWEP) in Sudan Changing their World: Concepts and Practices of Women’s Movements, 2nd ed. 7 Structure of the Movement  Goals and strategies

political and social change. Due to women’s suf- southern tribes living in the north. Through all these The first joint meeting between representatives of Building alliances with and lobbying for support fering from the war and its consequences, SuWEP entities, the number of women that are directly in- all nine Working Committees took place in Karen, for Sudanese women and men in achieving just provided women leaders from the communities a volved and active within SuWEP exceeds 1000, Kenya, in January 2000. It was also the first time and lasting peace in New Sudan. good cause – viz., conflict resolution and sustain- not including beneficiaries. that the Government of Sudan’s official represen- Serving as a forum for sharing information be- able peace building – around which they could ral- SuWEP’s north and south committees are not tatives participated in the deliberations. The most tween various groups involved in the recon- ly. SuWEP’s constituency base cuts across differ- only its key strategy and policy making bodies, but recent joint meeting of SuWEP was held in Khar- struction process and women of the Sudanese ent strata of women from different paths of life, and also the highest governance body of SuWEP. Both toum in February 2010. Diaspora, as well as the CPA implementation is producing women leaders from political parties, committees meet annually at their sector level, phase. civil society organizations, and ethnic groups. and jointly every three years at the national level. Lobbying for the international community’s at- SuWEP has a formal membership that con- All SuWEP’s formal member groups are governed Goals and strategies tention and support to the community at region- sists of nine women’s groups; (five in the northern by democratically elected committees - how- al and international forums, including negotiation sector and four in the southern sector, mentioned ever the groups differ with regard to the duration SuWEP started with a common aim to stop the meetings and conferences. above); membership of each group varies in terms of office, which may vary from one to four years. war, and the initial strategy was to defuse the hos- of nature and number. SuWEP’s community base Each group nominates their representatives to the Capacity building of Sudanese women in vari- tility between the northern and southern commu- in both north and south consists of 85 member SuWEP Committee, (SuWEP North or SuWEP ous sectors in order to empower them socially, nities by promoting negotiations as the only viable organizations (NGOs, CBOs, and GNGOs) and South), each of which have ten nominated mem- economically and politically. tool to conflict resolution. Towards this, SuWEP each member organization has its own commu- bers; the nomination process to both committees Advocating for, facilitating and/or implementing lobbied the political parties in the north and south nity base of women members. The political groups takes place every three years at the joint SuWEP programs in the following critical areas of con- to talk and listen to each other, and pressed for the consist of women leaders from nine different politi- meeting. The diagram below shows the leadership cern: research, analysis and documentation, inclusion of the women agenda in all of the negotia- cal parties. The ethnic groups consist of Nuba and structure and levels of governance of SuWEP: equal representation of women in health, edu- tions that took place prior to the signing of the CPA cation, economic and political spheres, and in including at the Machakos, Naivasha, and Abuja the division of labor, communications and de- talks. In the post-peace interim period, SuWEP’s velopment. focus shifted towards the proper and just imple- Sudanese Women mentation of the CPA, by empowering women to Liaising with local and international women’s (North and South) participate in all peace building and development groups that are concerned with the advance- processes to ensure the recognition and realiza- ment of women. tion of women’s rights. And today, SuWEP’s goal SuWEP has used the following tools, elements and is to raise community awareness and build the ca- approaches in its movement building work: Women Leaders pacity of a second generation of younger SuWEP Women Leaders of Women Leaders of of Civil Society women to safeguard the achievements made thus 1. Hearings to promote inclusion of women political Parties Ethnic Groups Organizations far, promote a culture of peace, and move forward from all layers of society: The movement of- the women agenda. fers opportunities for ordinary women from all Over the years the movement has developed walks of life to voice their concerns and ideas on a support base through building up alliances and war and peace in Sudan through public hear- solidarity with many institutions, organizations, and ings. Hearings are meetings where women are SuWEP Northern SuWEP Southern individuals including feminist writers, journalists, invited to discuss the impact of the war on their Sector Committee Sector Committee and artists - locally, regionally, and internationally. lives, and at the same time offer an opportuni- These relationships are maintained and managed ty to inform women about what is going on in through their active participation in meetings, fo- the peace process and at the policy level. This knowledge enables women to make important Executive Body rums, conferences, and communication through contributions to the peace process by under- Activity Coordination websites and internet forums. standing it more clearly. ,The hearings were SuWEP’s strategies are built on women’s own organized by moderators who worked in close strategies and capacities, and involve their women co-operation with their Working Committee; members at every stage of the process. Some key Five (5) Northern Four (4) Southern together they developed a working plan. The strategies are: SuWEP Groups SuWEP Groups moderators then visited women’s groups in dif- Building links and solidarity among all Suda- ferent areas of the country, the groups are those nese women and to act as a common front for somehow related to the working Committee. Sudanese women’s intervention in meaningful peace and Even though the number of women’s groups Community sustainable development. actually approached by SuWEP’s moderators

8 Women Building Peace: The Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace (SuWEP) in Sudan Changing their World: Concepts and Practices of Women’s Movements, 2nd ed. 9 Goals and strategies  Challenges and Achievements

and Working Committees is quite low when have prepared many position papers and stand- Challenges The fruits of women’s efforts to promote a peace compared to the time and resources invested, point documents, such as the Hague appeal culture are visible in the establishment of Peace the hearings played a key role in sharing ex- 1999, the minimum agenda for peace (Maas- Centers3 in Nairobi, Southern Kordufan and Blue amples of women’s solutions to local problems. tricht Declaration 2000), and plans of action in Women’s participation in the SuWEP movement Nile. It was also evident in the increased desire by They also revealed that many women, when solidarity with different women regional and in- has been affected by a number of obstacles. Key women to participate in peace negotiations nation- given this space to voice their views, were very ternational groups. After The Hague Appeal for among them was – and remains - grassroots ally, regionally and internationally; in the focused outspoken about the war. Peace, different groups of women met in Khar- women’s acute poverty and struggle for survival training of community leaders on peace issues, in - the movement was not in a position to subsi- 2. Training in conflict resolution and media- toum and Nairobi to discuss further an agenda concerted efforts towards building a peace culture dize poor women’s participation by covering the tion, and other areas: this was one of the first for peace. This culminated in the Sudanese among children and youth, and in the way wom- income lost through participation in movement priorities in the SuWEP process, and consisted Women’s Minimum Agenda for Peace devel- en demanded that warring parties allow the safe activities. The size of the country and the many of inputs on mediation, lobbying and preventive oped at a workshop in Karen, Kenya, in January passage of food aid to women in the war zones. contradictions between women from the urban diplomacy, as well as a series of meetings with 2000, where women listed ten conditions that SuWEP’s successes over the years have also re- and rural areas posed another challenge. Efforts to individuals, organizations, and parliamentarians had to be fulfilled to facilitate their participation sulted in women`s increased participation in the thwart women’s involvement in peace processes on peace building. One of the SuWEP mem- in the peace process. democratic transformation process, which has in by various vested interests has continued in differ- bers recalled how a training offered in South turn resulted in the attainment of 25% quota for 5. Advocacy and publicity strategies: these ent forms at different stages. The Machakos (2002) Africa was a turning point for her: “I remember women in the 2010 elections. were focused on: and Naivasha (2005) peace talks are a good ex- learning how to deal with conflict resolution and But the movement’s transformative role is best ample of this: In Machakos, despite the women’s preventive diplomacy. But I also learned how to Awareness of SuWEP, both amongst the summed up in the words of SuWEP’s members efforts to send ten people (two from each SuWEP deal with the anger that I had carried from the Sudanese public and in the international com- themselves. Sandra Bona, one of the founders group), to represent them in the talks, and hav- conflict and that was inside me. I needed to first munity. of SuWEP, and secretary of women in the Suda- ing come up with their own position papers, they know myself and understand my own experi- Since March 1999, a quarterly newsletter on nese Popular Liberation Movement for Democratic were denied participation in the negotiations. The ence from the conflict.” Working Committees the Initiative is being published. It contains up- Change says: “SuWEP is an umbrella for many men were adamant that this was a men’s affair. In also met with experienced political leaders. This dates on activities taking place, and contains groups working together to achieve peace, and we Naivasha, although the women’s position papers was necessary because the majority of women increasing contributions by Sudanese wom- have adopted this position due to our long suffer- were accepted, their concerns were not included were not well informed about the political pro- en and men. At the moment SuWEP prints ing that lasted two decades, aiming to come out among the recommendations. As a result of these cesses that had taken place in their country 1000 copies of each issue, some of which are of the predicament of war, and then, we as women barriers, the women were often forced to take their since independence. Women were also pro- sent around the world to organizations and saw that it was necessary to play our role and take views to the negotiation table via the men. Fortu- vided inputs on information and communica- individuals with an interest in Sudan and to part in achieving peace by ending a war that was nately, this has worked well for them. tion technologies like the Internet. A number of the diplomatic community in Khartoum and caused by men. All of our activities were aimed women, especially in the Northern Sector, were Nairobi. Most of the newsletters are handed at women. Women, either as mothers, sisters or also supported to learn the English language. to the Working Committees, who distribute others are peaceful by nature and they are most 3. Awareness raising and information shar- them amongst their constituency. Achievements capable of achieving peace. We have been able ing: this is one of the main objectives of Su- A website2 that contains information on Su- to achieve peace between the two sides and the overriding proof is that we are now working from WEP, and Information Centers have been WEP and that offers an interactive discussion Transforming people from a culture of war and vio- Khartoum after we have been working for a long established in all its regions, The Centers coor- board for people to post comments. All the lence to the level where they could discuss peace, time in Nairobi“. Abouk Paitti, one of the founders dinate information sharing among its members, key documents produced on the history of social justice and development is SuWEP’s great- of SuWEP in Southern Sudan, and Deputy Chair- build the capacity of member organizations Sudanese women in various peace initiatives est achievement. SuWEP women overlooked their person of the Women and Social Welfare Commit- and other peace actors, carry out advocacy are posted on the website, in Arabic as well cultural, religious, racial and political differences tee from 1994 to 2005 says: “Most of the women work on peace, gender equity and women’s as English. The newsletter is included as well. and came together in search of peace. They sac- who took up positions in South Sudan had been empowerment, and to build alliances between rificed their time, energy and money to attain this Lately, the SuWEP movement has started to trained by SuWEP”. women’s organizations. SuWEP members have receive a lot more attention from the media. In one goal. This commitment came through Su- produced and circulated a number of their pub- interviews with the press, Sudanese women WEP’s awareness building and training efforts. lications through the Centers as well, includ- have shown great clarity about the meaning ing newsletters, different forms of educational of their work for peace, and their capability materials, and disseminating information to the to influence the process positively. They were mass media. also very astute in not displaying their internal 4. Preparation of position papers: SuWEP disagreements in front of the media. women, through the course of their movement, 3. These centers were established to help SuWEP with the coordination of information sharing among its members, building the capacities of member organizations and other peace actors, carrying out advocacy work on peace is- 2. http://www.suwepmovement.org sues, gender equity and women’s empowerment and to building alliances /liaison between women’s organizations. 10 Women Building Peace: The Sudanese Women Empowerment for Peace (SuWEP) in Sudan Changing their World: Concepts and Practices of Women’s Movements, 2nd ed. 11 Conclusion and future directions

Conclusion and future the community. Raising women’s awareness of the need for gender equality is an integral part of these directions processes. Although women were earlier almost entirely absent, the attitude in Sudan towards their Looking ahead, several challenges confront the involvement in peace processes has become more movement. As the socio-political context of Sudan positive in recent years. Most of all, SuWEP has en- will change continuously, it is important for Suda- abled Sudanese women to demonstrate their ca- nese women continue to develop strategies that pacity to inform and transform the peace process respond effectively to the opportunities, dynamics in fundamental ways. and threats of the country’s turbulent environment. This means that SuWEP’s approach will have to be based on flexible planning and optimizing the Editor’s Post Script participation of women’s organizations, taking into account their changing needs and priorities. After more than two decades of conflict, a refer- SuWEP is currently running activities organized endum was held in Southern Sudan in January and implemented by the partner organizations 2011, to determine whether the people of the themselves, it will have to continue to assist part- South wished to remain part of larger Sudan, or ners to assess their internal organizational capaci- become an independent nation. The referendum ties, identify weaknesses, and provide support in was part of the 2005 Naivasha Agreement refer- overcoming these. Finally, SuWEP must continue enced in this case study, between the Khartoum to strengthen cooperation between its partner or- central government and the Sudan People’s Liber- ganizations, and facilitate and help manage part- ation Army/Movement (SPLA/M). The Referendum ners’ national and international relationships in Commission published the results of the vote on 7 peace building. February 2011: 99% of Southern Sudanese had The SuWEP movement emerged and matured voted in favor of secession, and the independent within the context of the prolonged civil war in Su- state is slated to become a reality in July 2011. dan. This war lasted for two decades and wrought This has profound implications for peace in the re- unimaginable human suffering on succeeding gen- gion, as It is still unclear whether the North will al- erations of southern Sudan people, especially wom- low the resource-rich South to secede peacefully. en. It has been estimated that women widowed by The challenges facing the SuWEP movement will the war head 60% of Sudanese households. Wom- therefore multiply, and the results of their efforts to en can only play effective roles in peace processes build a culture of peace will be tested in new ways, if they are sensitized through awareness creation as they struggle to ensure a peaceful transition into about the benefits of peace for all concerned and the new configuration of North and South Sudan. the importance of spreading a culture of peace in

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