Hybrid force celebrates Women Day in Darfur
March 8, 2008 (EL FASHER) — Female members of the United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) today organised a march to celebrate International Women’s Day in the centre of El Fasher, the administrative capital of north Darfur.
On International Women’s Day, today March 8th, this small Saharan town came to a standstill as staff of the new African Union – United Nations mission in Darfur converged on the central market, handing out T-shirts and posters to the town’s womenfolk to commemorate the occasion.
The distributed poster reads “Together in eliminating violence against women”.
The procession, around and through the market was joined by Sudanese women police officers and local residents. General Henry Anyidoho, the UNAMID deputy head of mission, led the marchers, stopping along the way to talk to women and children. Women officers from UNAMID’s police and military units carried banners.
“Women and children are the majority in the camps and they are suffering,” General Anydoho said. “We in UNAMID are doing everything possible to help them return to their homes and live a better life. That’s why we’re here – to show solidarity with women on International Women’s Day.”
International Women’s Day on March 8th has been marked since the early 20th century. It was first celebrated in Sudan in 1942. In Darfur, where the suffering of women has been a particularly tragic feature of the conflict, there is unique poignancy to this occasion. A local resident said Saturday’s event was the first of its kind.
UNAMID is a joint African Union-United Nations mission, launched on 31 December 2008. Its purpose is to help Darfur and Sudan achieve peace and protect civilians. Although the mission is still building itself, it is already in business and is rapidly extending patrols and other outreach into the community and rural areas.
(ST)