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#Sudan #PoliticalIsPersonal

New Podcast Episode — Sudan: The Feminist Movement in Time of War

New Episode Alert! Tune in to a powerful episode of #PoliticalIsPersonal as we delve into the resilience and courage of Sudanese feminist activists amidst the ongoing war in Sudan. This special episode brings forth the voices of women and girls on the front lines of the feminist movement, offering a compelling look into the impact of the war on women’s rights and feminist civic spaces in the country.

Image credit: WILPF
  • 4 min
WILPF International Secretariat
20 August 2024

The Context: War and Feminism in Sudan

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal conflict that has wreaked havoc on communities, disrupted, displaced and killed countless lives, and dismantled civic spaces. As the violence continues to escalate, Sudanese women have borne the brunt of the suffering. The current war has exacerbated long standing gender inequalities, making the work of feminist activists and woman human rights (WHRD) even more perilous and essential.

For 30 years under Omar al-Bashir’s dictatorship, women in Sudan endured severe oppression. Violence against women was not only rampant but state-sanctioned, enforced by the military, police, and security forces. Women were limited to just 25% of parliamentary seats, and in regions plagued by genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, women from marginalised ethnic groups faced sexual violence as a weapon of war. Freedom of expression was stifled, and civil society work was heavily restricted, with women journalists and human rights defenders facing constant harassment, state targeting, and threats of violence or exile.

Despite the heightened risks, Sudanese feminists and women activists continue to champion their rights, with a vision of a just and equitable society. In the face of overwhelming adversity, they persist—organising, resisting, and advocating for change, embodying resilience in the darkest of times.

Meet Our Guests: Voices of Courage

In this episode, we are joined by two remarkable Sudanese feminist activists who have dedicated their lives to advancing women’s rights and social justice.

  • Dr. Asha Al-Kareb: A trailblazing feminist activist and a staunch defender of women’s and girls’ rights, Dr. Asha has been at the forefront of the feminist movement in Sudan for years. She is the founder of several feminist associations that work tirelessly to empower women and advocate for gender justice, even in the face of war.
  • Asala Salah: A writer, feminist and grassroots advocate, Asala Salah has been a vocal supporter of women’s rights and a champion for marginalised communities in Sudan. Her activism is deeply rooted in her commitment to social justice and her belief in the power of collective action to create change.

Hosted by Samar Abushama

Guiding us through this important conversation is Samar Abushama, a passionate feminist activist with a strong focus on social justice and gender equality. Samar has been actively involved in documenting human rights violations in Sudan and advocating for the protection of women’s rights. Her expertise and dedication bring depth and insight to this episode.

A Conversation on Resilience and Resistance

Throughout this episode, our guests share their personal stories and experiences of navigating the challenges posed by the ongoing war. They discuss the unique struggles that Sudanese women face in times of conflict, from increased violence and displacement to the shrinking of civic spaces where feminist activism can thrive.

Despite these immense challenges, Dr. Asha and Asala highlight the unyielding spirit of Sudanese women. They share stories of resilience, courage, and solidarity within the feminist movement, showcasing how women are finding ways to continue their work, support one another, and push for change even in the most difficult circumstances.

This episode is not just about the hardships—it is also a celebration of the determination and resilience of Sudanese feminist activists. Their stories serve as a testament to the strength of women who, despite the odds, continue to fight for their rights and the rights of others.

Join us as we amplify their voices, honour their struggles, and learn from their experiences. Their narratives remind us of the importance of solidarity and the power of collective action in the face of oppression.

Listen Now

Don’t miss this insightful and inspiring episode of #PoliticalIsPersonal. Tune in now to hear from Sudanese feminist activists about the impact of war on their movement and how they continue to resist and rebuild in the midst of conflict.

Let’s stand with Sudanese women and amplify their voices!

#SudanFeministMovement #WomenInConflict #ResilienceInAction #PoliticalIsPersonal

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WILPF International Secretariat

WILPF International Secretariat, with offices in Geneva and New York, liaises with the International Board and the National Sections and Groups for the implementation of WILPF International Programme, resolutions and policies as adopted by the International Congress. Under the direction of the Secretary-General, the Secretariat also provides support in areas of advocacy, communications, and financial operations.

Berit Aasen

Europe Alternate Regional Representative

Berit Aasen is a sociologist by training and has worked at the OsloMet Metropolitan University on Oslo. She has 40 years of experience in research and consultancy in development studies, including women, peace, and security, and in later years in asylum and refugee studies. Berit Aasen joined WILPF Norway five years ago. She is an alternate member of the National Board of WILPF Norway, and representing WILPF Norway in the UN Association of Norway, the Norwegian 1325 network and the Norwegian Women’s Lobby. Berit Aasen has been active in the WILPF European Liaison group and is committed to strengthening WILPF sections and membership both in Europe and relations across continents.

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Melissa Torres

VICE-PRESIDENT

Prior to being elected Vice-President, Melissa Torres was the WILPF US International Board Member from 2015 to 2018. Melissa joined WILPF in 2011 when she was selected as a Delegate to the Commission on the Status of Women as part of the WILPF US’ Practicum in Advocacy Programme at the United Nations, which she later led. She holds a PhD in Social Work and is a professor and Global Health Scholar at Baylor College of Medicine and research lead at BCM Anti-Human Trafficking Program. Of Mexican descent and a native of the US/Mexico border, Melissa is mostly concerned with the protection of displaced Latinxs in the Americas. Her work includes training, research, and service provision with the American Red Cross, the National Human Trafficking Training and Technical Assistance Centre, and refugee resettlement programs in the U.S. Some of her goals as Vice-President are to highlight intersectionality and increase diversity by fostering inclusive spaces for mentorship and leadership. She also contributes to WILPF’s emerging work on the topic of displacement and migration.

Jamila Afghani

VICE-PRESIDENT

Jamila Afghani is the President of WILPF Afghanistan which she started in 2015. She is also an active member and founder of several organisations including the Noor Educational and Capacity Development Organisation (NECDO). Elected in 2018 as South Asia Regional Representative to WILPF’s International Board, WILPF benefits from Jamila’s work experience in education, migration, gender, including gender-based violence and democratic governance in post-conflict and transitional countries.

Sylvie Jacqueline Ndongmo

PRESIDENT

Sylvie Jacqueline NDONGMO is a human rights and peace leader with over 27 years experience including ten within WILPF. She has a multi-disciplinary background with a track record of multiple socio-economic development projects implemented to improve policies, practices and peace-oriented actions. Sylvie is the founder of WILPF Cameroon and was the Section’s president until 2022. She co-coordinated the African Working Group before her election as Africa Representative to WILPF’s International Board in 2018. A teacher by profession and an African Union Trainer in peace support operations, Sylvie has extensive experience advocating for the political and social rights of women in Africa and worldwide.

WILPF Afghanistan

In response to the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban and its targeted attacks on civil society members, WILPF Afghanistan issued several statements calling on the international community to stand in solidarity with Afghan people and ensure that their rights be upheld, including access to aid. The Section also published 100 Untold Stories of War and Peace, a compilation of true stories that highlight the effects of war and militarisation on the region. 

IPB Congress Barcelona

WILPF Germany (+Young WILPF network), WILPF Spain and MENA Regional Representative

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Demilitarisation

WILPF uses feminist analysis to argue that militarisation is a counter-productive and ill-conceived response to establishing security in the world. The more society becomes militarised, the more violence and injustice are likely to grow locally and worldwide.

Sixteen states are believed to have supplied weapons to Afghanistan from 2001 to 2020 with the US supplying 74 % of weapons, followed by Russia. Much of this equipment was left behind by the US military and is being used to inflate Taliban’s arsenal. WILPF is calling for better oversight on arms movement, for compensating affected Afghan people and for an end to all militarised systems.

Militarised masculinity

Mobilising men and boys around feminist peace has been one way of deconstructing and redefining masculinities. WILPF shares a feminist analysis on the links between militarism, masculinities, peace and security. We explore opportunities for strengthening activists’ action to build equal partnerships among women and men for gender equality.

WILPF has been working on challenging the prevailing notion of masculinity based on men’s physical and social superiority to, and dominance of, women in Afghanistan. It recognizes that these notions are not representative of all Afghan men, contrary to the publicly prevailing notion.

Feminist peace​

In WILPF’s view, any process towards establishing peace that has not been partly designed by women remains deficient. Beyond bringing perspectives that encapsulate the views of half of the society and unlike the men only designed processes, women’s true and meaningful participation allows the situation to improve.

In Afghanistan, WILPF has been demanding that women occupy the front seats at the negotiating tables. The experience of the past 20 has shown that women’s presence produces more sustainable solutions when they are empowered and enabled to play a role.