Darfuri Women Are Not Only Wonderful Women Of The World…
Posted by Michelle Moquin on October 27th, 2012
…but badass too!
Good morning!
This one’s for the girls.
The Badass Women of Darfur
Niemat Ahmadi is a quiet badass. She is a native of North Darfur, founder and president of Darfur Women Action Group and the director of Global Partnerships for United to End Genocide and has been a friend and colleague for many years. She is soft-spoken but passionate when it comes to her country and the atrocities that are still being committed there. She has seen things and her family and friends have and are experiencing things that no human being should ever encounter.
This weekend I am joining her in Washington, D.C. forDarfur Women Action Group’s symposium on “Women and Genocide in the 21st Century,” it is taking place this month in D.C. to draw the attention of the advocates and policy makers to the plight of the women of Darfur who have long suffered and to take with us on our journey of women empowerment by developing practical strategies for women. The symposium will also be bringing Sudanese diaspora leaders from various regions of Sudan to set strategies of how to bring about change in Sudan that will sustainably end the crisis in Sudan.
What do you know about the crisis in Darfur today? Here is what I know and am horrified by:
First off, it’s far from over and women continue to bear the brunt of the suffering. Today, after almost 10 years, the situation for women in Darfur remains tragic. The widespread systematic use of rape and sexual violence against women and girls is now spreading beyond Darfur into other regions of Sudan, including the capital city of Khartoum. There is also an increase in violence against female civil society leaders in Sudan. These women are continuously abused after raising their concerns about the Sudanese’s repressive laws that restrict women’s freedoms and allow impunity for security agents to abuse women.
Despite the outcry and the attention built around the Darfur genocide movement, little has been done to affect the situation on the ground. I am really wondering why and I feel that the international community owe the people of Darfur an answer.
It’s worth noting that Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan has already been indicted as a genocidal criminal. In 2004, the United States government declared the crises in Darfur as genocide and in 2009 the International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued two arrest warrant against Al-Bashir for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. I am still wondering what other confirmation the world community and its leaders needs before they can take serious action and stop the ongoing genocide and hold the perpetrators accountable.
As expressed by my friend Niemat:
Imagine, your mother who is over 70 years old and is sadly caught up under the threat of fire with nowhere to turn, you are constantly getting news about a beloved relative just shot dead or a best friend who has been brutally raped with total impunity or sisters whose children are left to die because they have no access to and cannot afford medical treatment, you may never be able to imagine that. For those of us lucky enough to escape the genocide, you cannot believe how much pain we carry with us daily, with little hope for the situation to change. It’s devastating and it is indeed far from over.
As Niemat points out:
In spite of the suffering, Darfuri women are emerging throughout the grassroots as potential leaders; they serve as healers and keepers of their families and acting as spokespersons for their people in articulating the demands of their community. Further, they demonstrate a unique resilience and outstanding capacity to lead the potential to sustain their society. However, they are rarely recognized for these tremendous contributions, despite the enormous challenges that they face.
I know you join me with the belief that women should not be treated as victims but as equal partners in resolving the crisis. Hence, civilian protection, response to women’s emergency needs, education and economic empowerment of women, along with facilitating women’s access to justice and peace-making forums are of particular importance in combating violence and in achieving a sustainable end to the atrocities in Darfur and Sudan at large.
There is nothing more powerful in fighting genocide than empowering the affected communities. At its core, empowering women is of particular importance to help the Darfuri and the Sudanese people at large to stand for themselves, work together to end the crisis and to bring democracy to their homeland. That is what the Darfur Women Action Group is all about and that is why I will do whatever I can to support it. By asking questions, listening and using my voice to speak up for women and I call up on you to join me. Only with our collective effort can we end violence, protect the vulnerable and empower men and women to make our world a peaceful and just place to live.
Please visit http://DarfurWomenAction.org website to learn more, volunteer, or whatever it is you wish to participate in helping bring some peace to this situation. If you are in D.C, I invite you to sign up and join us at this event. [Darfur Women Symposium in D.C. Oct. 27th-28th.]
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Readers: Anonz has done so much for the women in Darfur. We all do what matters to us most. If supporting and empowering women is something that matters to you, please get involved and do something. Thank you.
Zen Lill: You are a voice in your group of girls and guys so I am happy to hear that!
Anonymous: Ooh I love when someone calls me a bitch, because that is exactly what I am….and that’s “badass bitch” to you.
Janet: The more extreme and shocking she is, the more money she makes – She’s in it for the money and she’s rolling in it, laughing all the way to the bank, and my guess, while getting it good and not by a tiny dick white man.
Ryan: Smart man.
Have a great Saturday everyone!
Peace & Lots of Love
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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October 28th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
Michelle, I couldn’t get in to make a comment about this article so I continue to try today. First I would like to point out that life for women in Darfuri refugee camps in Sudan and neighboring Chad is extremely hard. Many have no access to any public authority that will investigate violence against women, and medical facilities are scarce to non-existent. While rape is rampant, and has allegedly been used as a “weapon of war” by the Khartoum backed militia engaged in a campaign of ethnic cleansing in Darfur, women are seldom able to find safety in seeking help from local authorities.
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The real problem is the ongoing conflict and an apparent government cover-up campaign help to conceal the crimes. Sexual Violence Against Darfuri Women is Out of Control.
October 28th, 2012 at 1:17 pm
Michelle, I am from Algeria, I would like to support women of the Farchana refugee camp, they are the proof of the real dignity of women because they suffer in silence just to save the honor of their families and avoid their relatives from shame, a special proof of courage and bravery they are making everyday.
We are supporting them and we feel their suffering and their courage, and we have to take actions against those violations, because it’s our duty to those brave women.”
Aimen
October 28th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
My heart and donations to the SaveDarfur.org/women goes out to the women of Darfur.
I want to mention that women everywhere should do what they can to succeed. I like this one by FIFA.
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Some interesting facts regarding female soccer from FIFA:
•29 million women and girls play football worldwide.
•12 percent of youth players are female.
•Today 135 women’s teams have a FIFA ranking.
•The number of teams for the FIFA WWC Canada 2015 has increased to 24.
As a member of FIFA and AFC, we at the GFA are following the leadership of our governing bodies by sharing the same goals for the continued development of the female soccer player here in Guam.
Some of the major focus areas for developing the female game here in Guam include:
•Implementation of an elite player development program for female players (the GFA national academy).
•Placing more female players into U.S. college soccer programs by exposing our elite players and creating better relationships with potential college programs.
•Development of women’s soccer competitions/leagues.
•Have more women and girls participating in youth, grassroots and outreach soccer development programs.
•Improve the structures/infrastructure dedicated to the women’s game
•Increase the number of women working in the game as coaches, referees and administration.
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I am so impressed with the development both these female soccer leaders are showing and I look forward to their continued growth.
Any success in any field by women helps all women.
October 28th, 2012 at 2:02 pm
Strange, I couldn’t get in yesterday either. But if I make it today this is what I would like to say.
To the women of Darfur: The synopsis of your oppression experienced in camp Farchana is a heartfelt one and an unfortunate reminder of the injustices that still exist in our world.
This manifesto highlighting the inequalities present in your daily lives should be circulated to world leaders everywhere to make evident the structural and physical violence that occurs there regularly…
Thank you again for providing the rest of the world with your personal accounts of life within the camps. Our hopes and thoughts are with you.”
October 28th, 2012 at 2:05 pm
I live in Italy. But I keep up with the plight of the women in Darfur. My voice to them is dear sisters of the Darfur, I’ve read your message about the situation you live. I’ve been living and working with Sudanese refugees-displaced.
I learnt that you are able to make good out of the most difficult situation. In Cairo I worked with the Sudanese refugee community and my best and close friends were Sudanese ladies ready to help, encourage, pray share the community at large.
From far away I feel very close to each of you and I do pray that the Good Lord of Life keep you all in his safe hand.
May God bless Sudan and you.
October 28th, 2012 at 2:54 pm
Blessed Sisters, your cries are heard by us across the world. We hold you not only in our prayers, but in our campaigns for justice, kindness, compassion and love. We speak of your pain in our writings, on radio, tv, and internet, in church and state.
We hold you close in the center of our women’s circles. You are not forgotten and peace will come as each woman, the world over, takes her stand for her sister. We love you
October 28th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Michelle, I’m from South Africa and I couldn’t get in yesterday either. I am trying here because this is the subject I am interested in.
I want to tell you struggling in Darfur, I am saddened to hear of the hardships that you face every day. I sincerely hope that Physicians for Human Rights and other organisations can assist you and make positive changes in your lives.
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Please know that it has made an impact and that many people do care very much.