Darfurian women discuss Doha peace document
Some 40 women representatives of civil society organizations from North Darfur have met in Fashir where they discussed ways of realizing peace and implementing the Doha Document for Peace in Darfur (DDPD), signed in the Qatari capital of Doha on 14 July, 2010.
The workshop, at the instance of the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), discussed the DDPD as it relates to women.
A UNAMID press statement, received here Wednesday by PANA, said: “The objectives of the forum, which was organized by the Mission’s Gender Advisory Unit, are to facilitate initial discussions towards developing a clear and unified position of Darfuri women on all issues related to DDPD implementation, establishing a framework for future consultations and dialogue with women on the peace process and strengthening relations among women groups.’
It said that the workshop highlighted the need for more capacity building, training, construction and funding of women centres in different localities to create space for continued peace and dialogue.
They also called for more meetings between the women associations and the Darfur Regional Authority (DRA), more representation of women in peace negotiations, as well as women’s participation in the dialogue and reconciliation efforts of the Ajaweed (community leaders) council.
The Chief of the UNAMID Gender Unit, Ms. Yegerawork Angagaw, was quoted by the release as saying that the DDPD addressed security, political, social and economic issues which are fundamental bases for any sustainable peace process.
‘These goals can be achieved through continuous dialogue amongst different groups,’ she said.
“The UNAMID Gender Unit recognizes that women civil society groups in Darfur have played a significant role in the Darfur peace process, particularly in terms of reconciliation and delivery of services to victims and I urge you all to come together under one umbrella for better coordination” she was quoted as saying.
Ms. Angagaw reiterated the Mission’s commitment to supporting the efforts of women’s participation and integration of the gender perspective in Darfur’s peace and political processes.