Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa
Feminist Peace & Solidarity Conference on Sudan
Feminist Peace & Solidarity Conference on Sudan
Published February 2024 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted or reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical or other means now known or hereafter invented including copying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publishers. Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa P.O. Box 2793 Kampala – Uganda www.sihanet.org ©SIHA Network 2023
Cover photography by: Faiz Abubaker Design by: Diana Namanda
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Feminist Peace & Solidarity Conference on Sudan
Summary The “Feminist Peace and Solidarity Conference: Women Leading Peace” was a significant event organized by the Strategic Initiative for Women in The Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network from November 22-23, 2023. The conference focused on Sudan’s crisis through a feminist lens, highlighting women’s roles in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. It brought together over 140 participants, including Sudanese women and activists, international human rights organizations, UN agencies, and women’s rights activists from across the continent. The conference featured heartfelt narratives, with speakers recounting the horrors of conflict, leading to moments of tears and healing, facilitated by meditation specialists. It was a space of collective healing and renewed hope, as participants collaboratively sought ways forward.
The conference featured insightful discussions and interactive sessions, emphasizing the challenges women face in conflict situations and their historical marginalization in peace processes and women’s essential roles in peacebuilding and conflict resolution. Key outcomes from this event include a strong conference statement (Annex 1) advocating for the prioritization of women in peace initiatives. Recommendations were made for women’s active involvement in peace processes, the necessity of policy reforms for gender equality, and the call for international support for women in conflict zones. The conference underscored the critical role of women in achieving sustainable peace solutions. The event was a platform for sharing experiences, addressing socio-economic challenges in post-conflict settings, and fostering a deeper understanding of the unique difficulties faced by women in these environments. It marked a step forward in recognizing and amplifying women’s voices in peacebuilding efforts, reflecting a growing commitment to inclusive and equitable peace processes.
It is essential to remind ourselves that this extreme violence against civilians currently happening in Sudan is not happening in a vacuum; it is the outcome of over 20 years of violence and atrocity against the people in Darfur and South Kordofan, but also a direct outcome to impunity and neglect of the importance of accountability by international actors. Hala Al-Karib, Regional Director SIHA
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