Statement by women delegates to Darfur peace talks

1. We, the women delegates participating in the Darfur Peace Talks In Abuja, Nigeria, Celebrate with the rest of the women of Darfur this occasion of the International Women’s Day.

2. During this celebration, we wish to acknowledge the increase in the number of women participating in the Talks as women need to be seen as actors in their own right, as well as to participate with men in the decisions regarding their own lives.

3. We wish to remind all the Parties in the Talks that, when negotiating and implementing the Peace Agreements, they should take on board the recommendations that we made in the Women’s Priorities for Peace and Reconstruction in Darfur which was adopted here in Abuja, across our party affiliations, and in particular, to include provisions for:

 The protection of women and girls against gender based violence and all other forms of violence against women, during conflict and also in times of peace.

 The special needs of women and girls during repatriation and settlement and for rehabilitation, reintegration and post conflict reconstruction

 Measures that support local women’s peace initiatives and indigenous processes for conflict resolution, and that involve women in all of the implementation mechanisms of the peace agreement

 Measures that ensures the protection of and respect for human rights of women and girls, particularly as they relate to the structures and institutions being considered in this agreement

 Building the capacity of women delegates to engage effectively with the negotiation process and advocating for the “Women’s Priority Concerns for Reconstruction in Darfur” (Women’s Priorities).

 Disseminating and generating support for Women’s Priorities, and providing linkage between the Abuja peace processes at the Sudan/Darfur level.

 Recognition of the need to undertake special measures to ensure women’s equal and effective participation in governance at all levels.

 Gender considerations shall be made during the selection of members of all commissions, committees, bodies and institutions established in connection with this Agreement.

 Benefit from the Special Reconstruction Fund, which will ensure economic and social security for women who are coming out of conflict in Darfur