Women discuss peace in Darfur

UNAMID workshop on UN 1325 resolution lauds the role of women in Darfuri societyOver 100 women from across Darfur gathered in North Darfur’s El Fasher city on Wednesday to discuss the UN’s 1325 resolution on women.As part of a workshop organized by the United Nations African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), the women from North, South and West Darfur attended an open day workshop on women, peace and security under the theme of “Women count for peace.”Officials from the state governments, legislators and UN agencies also attended the discussion.“The (UN 1325) resolution aptly defines the importance of women both in conflict and post-conflict situations, women as agents for positive change and women as citizens needing special protection. In Darfur, women have embraced UNSCR 1325 and ran with it,” one of the UN officials at the event said.The chief of Higher Council of Youth and Sports Tijani Ahmed Sinin, said, “Women are the ones who pay the bills of the war: they lost their husbands, sons and brothers, and they are capable of playing different roles in all sectors.”“Women in North Darfur have played the lead: we have women ministers, advisors, commissioners, director generals and other senior positions. Let us do all that we can to support women which will result in progress, peace and prosperity for all Darfuris,” he remarked.UNAMID in collaboration with local authorities has organized forums to create awareness and assess the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 in 14 localities throughout Darfur.