Humanitarian groups in Darfur call to halt violence towards women
Dec 6, 2005 (KHARTOUM) — Humanitarian groups in Sudan’s war-torn province of Darfur are calling for expanded efforts to halt violence towards women.
At a meeting called “16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence” in the southern Darfur capital of Nyala, international aid groups said women are increasingly victims of massive human rights violations.
The United Nations Population Fund representative in Sudan, Hassan Mohtashami, said “Violence is not inevitable. Rather, it is often predictable and preventable. A number of interventions can be promising and effective in preventing violence and reducing the harm caused when it does occur.”
The fund plans to initiate a number of programs to prevent and treat gender-based violence in Darfur, according to the United Nations IRIN news agency.
Deputy Governor of South Darfur Elhaj Atalmnan Idris said, “The impact of the conflict is very clear in all aspects of life. But it’s more clear on women, children, and the elderly because they are most fragile. We believe firmly that the humanitarian situation has witnessed a remarkable improvement. But we are still looking for more opportunities, more improvements.”
Investigation and treatment of rape is especially problematic, with only five cases having gone to trial. International aid workers say that a major obstacle is that rape and gender violence victims have to file the official Form 8 prior to speaking with law enforcement and receiving medical attention, which many women are reluctant to do.
A United Nations Population Fund and the U.N. Children’s Fund reported noted, “Unmarried girls were the most affected, and some did not seek health care in clinics due to stigma and shame.”
Among injuries and complications inflicted on women are rape, miscarriages, injuries from beatings, sexually transmitted diseases, malnutrition and psychological disorders.
(UPI/ST)