Khartoum, Sudan - More than 100 Sudanese women, drawn from the three states of the region of Darfur, took part in an open-day dialogue on the role of women in peace in the embattled region, a press statement from the United nations African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) indicated Thursday.

UNAMID, organizers of the event, said the session which was held at Al Fashir, capital of north Darfur state, featured talks on the progress in the implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace and Security under the theme “Women count for peace”.

Attendees also included officials from the state governments, legislators and UN agencies, UNAMID said.

At the session, UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative - Political, Aichatou Mindaoudou Souleymane, highlighted some of the achievements made by the Darfuri women, such us the drive for active engagement in the peace and political process, the work to prevent gender-based violence and the support for livelihood projects and skills that will help chart Darfur’s road to recovery.

“The 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,” she said.

The release quoted Souleymane as saying that she was 'deeply impressed that the number of participants at this year’s Open Day doubled. This is no mere coincidence.” 

Also speaking at the session, the Chief of Higher Council of Youth and Sports, Tiggani Ahmed Sinin, said that women were the ones who payed the bills of the war in losing their husbands, sons and brothers, and that they were capable of playing different roles in all sectors.

The release noted that UNAMID, in collaboration with local authorities, had organized forums to create awareness and assess the implementation of the UNSCR 1325 in 14 localities throughout Darfur.

Pana 17/11/2011