Darfur women still abused, sexually assaulted, harassed and killed

Women in Darfur continue to be abused, sexually assaulted, harassed and killed, social researcher Ibtihal Ishag claims. She calls for concerted efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace in Darfur and the whole of Sudan.

The regime of President Omar Al Bashir destroyed the social fabric in Darfur, just to strengthen its own position and presence, Ibtihal Ishag said during a press conference about violence against Darfur women, organised by the Sudanese Women's Union in Khartoum on Wednesday evening.

She called for individual compensation for those affected, removal of the causes of displacement, and inclusion of the Addis Ababa Agreement in the Constitutional Document.

Darfur Women Group

She pointed out that the Darfur Women Group was newly formed and has members in all the five states of Darfur. It aims to seek peace and security in all war zones in Sudan, as well as promoting political participation of women at all levels.

Darfur Bar Association

The group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Darfur Bar Association. Together they will organise a forum with the leaders of the armed movements in order to achieve peace.

Ibtihal Ishag explained that the group seeks to reclaim the rights of women living in camps for displaced persons, stressing the need to address the issues of Darfur women within the framework of the overall issues of women in Sudan.

40 per cent

She called for a commitment to political participation of women of 40 per cent at all levels, in accordance with the Constitutional Document. She stated that women played a major role in the uprising.

She also criticised the poor participation of women in the past negotiations between the junta and the Forces for Freedom and Change.

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