Inclusive Security and Darfur

A robust, inclusive peace process is needed to resolve the conflict in Darfur. To create a durable agreement, groups such as Arab tribes, communities of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and women must be involved in all efforts to resolve the conflict. 

Women’s political participation in a renewed political process in Darfur is particularly critical. Women have a tremendous stake in resolving the conflict, bring distinct and vital perspectives to discussions and will be key to rebuilding the bridges in society. They are at the forefront of peace building efforts to secure camps for the displaced, and press for a ceasefire. They also have assumed new roles as heads of household, making them responsible for the well being of their families and communities, even as they suffer severe hardship.

Women have been severely marginalized in the Darfur peace process. Their direct involvement as members of delegations and as a separate constituency could re-energize and ensure the success of negotiations.

Inclusive Security aims to strengthen the Darfur peace process by ensuring that women have a strong voice therein.  We advocate for the inclusion of women in all negotiating delegations (representing political movements as well as civil society), and as members of the United Nations and African Union mediating team. Our proposed strategy for women’s inclusion could also serve as a model for bringing other critical stakeholder groups into the negotiations (i.e., IDPs, Arab tribes, civil society). 

The strategy’s objectives include:

• increasing the number and influence of women involved in peace talks through a transparent democratic process;
• ensuring that women articulate a platform for peace that feeds into talks;
• building trust among Darfurian women of different backgrounds;
• increasing interaction among Darfurian women and key Sudanese and international players in the peace process; and
• creating networks to convey information about the peace process to local communities throughout Darfur.

Click here to read the full strategy, Creating an Inclusive Peace Process in Darfur: A model for increasing women's participation. 

Inclusive Security is advocating for support for the strategy from the African Union and United Nations.

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