Kampala III

Civil Forum of Sudan Conference

Women’s Rights in the Sudan: Agenda for the Future

Kampala 11^th-15^th March 2002

Declaration and Plan of Action

Preamble

1.      Convened by different civil society organisations in Sudan including refugees and Diaspora and hosted by the Pan African Movement, Sudanese women and representatives of different civil society organisations and political parties met together in Kampala, Uganda, to discuss the challenges of realising the rights of women in Sudan. The Conference welcomed strong contingents of participants from all parts of Sudan alongside refugees and people from the diaspora.

2.      We, the participants in this august Assembly commit ourselves to work towards the immediate achievement of a just and lasting peace and democracy in Sudan.

3.      We affirm the following Core Values to guide our actions:

·        We urge all conflicting parties to stop the killing, atrocities, aerial bombardment and human rights violations.

·        We affirm that real democracy is a prerequisite for a justice-oriented society.

·        All people are equal regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, class, disability, race culture and geographical backgrounds and so forth;

·        We recognise and affirm all international human rights norms such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and regional instruments, including the African Development Forum III Consensus Document of 8 March 2002;

·        We affirm the voluntary unity of Sudan within a multi-cultural framework with justice and equal citizenship;

·        We affirm that the right to self-determination is an inalienable right;

·        The conference took note that two trends are expressed in the matter of religion and state. One trend believes in separation between the state and religion and the other urges to abide by Asmara Declaration 1995.

·        We acknowledge the historical marginalisation and oppression of women;

·        We demand all political parties to bring about gender equity, commit themselves to the provision of social services, combat the negative impact of structural adjustment programmes and the market economy;

·        We are aware of regional, cultural, ethnic and religious marginalisation and the consequent double marginalisation of women from those regions;

Declaration

4.      The women of Sudan are suffering systematic and horrific abuses and violations of their basic rights on account of war and oppression. Women have been the principal victims in the civil war, suffering from aerial bombardment, abduction, slavery, rape, displacement, landmines, hunger and perpetrated hunger. Women have suffered the forcible conscription of their children, and the burdens of widowhood. In addition, Sudanese women have long suffered from discrimination, exploitation and neglect in patriarchal societies in all parts of Sudan from South to North, West to East.

5.      Realising the rights of Sudanese women is a challenge for all Sudanese, women and men. Sudan can only achieve a just and lasting peace, genuine democracy and development when the rights of women are realised in their entirety, while peace and democracy are themselves preconditions for the realisation of women’s rights. But women’s rights are not promissory to be redeemed at some future time of liberation or democracy: all Sudanese political forces and civil society organisations must struggle for women’s rights now.

6.      Women in Sudan speak with many voices. This diversity is to be embraced. Sudan’s plurality cannot be forced into a single blueprint, and Sudanese women need to listen to their diverse voices and respond accordingly. However, on many key issues of human rights, peace and democracy, women have a common message.

7.      There needs to be far more information and awareness about the situation of women in Sudan. Multiple sources of information, especially those emanating from women themselves, should be encouraged, and should be integral parts of an information network. Illiteracy and lack of education among women, obsolete tradition and shackles imposed upon them should be combated in order for women to become more aware of their rights. Efforts must be exerted to prevent negative images of women in the media.

8.      Sudanese women need solidarity amongst one another, and from their sisters abroad. Sudanese women are all suffering.

Peace

9.      The achievement of a just and lasting peace is a prerequisite for the realisation of women’s rights.  Strong women’s movements, operating within an empowered and vibrant civil society and a democratic political system, in a peaceful Sudan, will ensure that women can make the best progress towards the full realisation of their rights.

10.  Women should be endowed, entitled and empowered to be involved in peace processes as active and full partners. The Sudanese Women Empowerment for peace SUWEP initiative was endorsed and participants urged to bring on board existing and emerging peace efforts Women should be able to meet and define the kind of peace they want. We call for the inclusion of women representatives in all initiatives for a just and lasting peace.

11.  The achievement of peace should also entail democracy and a plural political system in which the rights of all are guaranteed as against the existing monolithic partisan system. The IGAD Declaration of Principles was strongly endorsed by the conference as the foundation for sustainable peace, however the civil society should be involved in the IGAD and in all other peace processes.

12.  Women in all parts of Sudan should campaign for peace. All women in the North, the South, the Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and the Beja Hills should step up their condemnation at the violations of human rights perpetrated during the war, especially the aerial bombardment of civilians.

13.  The women of Sudan need capacity building to enable them to participate more effectively in peace processes, including negotiations, mobilisation for peace, training workshops and communication skills. Women should support the culture of peace and should not engage in activities to encourage war, such as songs that support militarism.

14.  Peace networks should be created to campaign for peace, including lobbying and advocacy for gender humanitarian assistance and intervention and fight the causes of war.

15.  Humanitarian programmes need to deal with the trauma and psycho-social rehabilitation of victims of war.

Democracy

16.  Women’s rights are human rights. Human development, democracy and human rights are the basis for the achievement of women’s rights. Sudanese women call for a political system in the country that will ensure that all are respected and the participation of all is guaranteed. Sudan needs a rights-based constitutional order.

17.  On the way to ensuring gender equity, the National Assembly and other representative structures should meet the Beijing commitment of a minimum 30% representation of women. Sudanese government and political institutions should meet the same target.

18.  Human rights are not fulfilled in a vacuum. For women to realise their rights, we need education, health, and security.

International Human Rights Standards

19.  The Government of Sudan should accede to all international human rights conventions, especially the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and should take all necessary steps to ensure that these conventions are introduced into domestic law and are fully enforced.

20.  The provisions of international humanitarian law protecting women during wartime should be fully respected by all the parties to the conflict. Violations of those laws including abductions and enslavement should be fully investigated.

Personal Law and Customary Law

21.  The currently existing Personal Law for Moslems 1991 needs to be reformed to comply with the spirit and humanity of Islam that are consistent with international standards of human rights.

22.  Marriage laws need to reflect the principle of the marital union as a union based on human love, understanding and respect, rather than the domination of men over women. Divorce laws need to be liberalised to reflect the principle of gender equality.

23.  Gender equality in freedom of movement, freedom of employment and economic participation, must be ensured. Women’s right to work should be guaranteed.

24.  Civil society should create a commission to study the laws of Sudan with special reference to women’s rights, and create recommendations for that end. All the laws of Sudan should be examined for their discriminatory impact on women.

25.  Customary laws as existing in various parts of Sudan need to be reformed to ensure that the rights of women are respected in full, while the positive aspects of customary law that embrace and celebrate the richness of traditional culture are retained and nurtured.

26.  Existing customary laws that allow the early marriage of young girls should be reformed to enact a minimum age of marriage.

Women and Law

Women are not equal under certain laws. This should be abrogated or revised. In some situations laws can serve women, but are misinterpreted and misapplied by male legal officers.

27.  More women legal officers and judges are needed. More legal and gender awareness is required including training and capacity building concerning human rights.

28.  The judicial system should be more accessible to women, with legal aid provided. Legal organisations should be established to support women.

29.  The Public Order Act should be revoked and the Public Order Courts that violate the rights of women should be abolished.

30.  Labour laws should comply with the current International Labour Organisation conventions as a minimum standard.

Education Rights

31.  Education should be a basic right and compulsory at the primary level and curriculum building a process of building gender equity and a just multi cultural society. Sudan should take affirmative action towards education of the girl child so as to increase the literacy rates and ensure gender equity. Bursaries should be provided for girls to pursue education up to the highest level.

32.  Sudan’s educational curriculum should ensure promotion of values of gender. The curriculum should reflect the history and culture of women in all regions of Sudan.

33.  There is a need for capacity building for women’s education at all levels and in all parts of Sudan. The medium of instruction needs to be chosen to suit the environment.

34.  Sudanese women need greater skills for all of life’s challenges. Creation of awareness including civic education on governance is required.

Health Rights

35.  The poor level of Sudanese women’s health is scandalous. Sudan is a potentially rich country with an appalling high child mortality rate and maternal mortality rate. In view of this, Sudan’s women demand more, better quality and more accessible health care. They need information and training on health issues including more female doctors and other health professionals. Special attention is needed for reproductive and primary health care.

36.  Essential health services should be available for all at affordable prices in all areas of the country. Clean water supplies are essential for the poorest.

37.  Harmful traditional practices that affect women and child’s health should be eradicated. Female Circumcision remains a serious issue for women’s health rights that needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later.

38.  HIV/AIDS/STDs are grave threats to Sudanese women, who are calling for awareness raising, an end to stigma, denial and discrimination against those living with HIV and AIDS, and prevention and health care and social support. Religious leaders, both Muslim and Christian, should be mobilised in support of campaigns. Medication to minimise mother-to-child-transmission of HIV should be provided.

Economic and Social Rights

39.  Female-headed households and widows should enjoy equal employment rights.

40.  Vulnerable women, including widows and women who are heads of households, should be provided with special protection and assistance. Poverty eradication projects should be initiated in order to enable women to be self-reliant.

41.  The impact of economic policies upon women should be examined, with particular attention to structural adjustment and privatisation policies. Sudan’s national budget should be subject to a gender sensitive allocation.

42.  Actions that impede women’s participation in the workforce, such as sexual harassment in the workplace and in the informal sector as well as other sorts of harassment i.e. police and municipal authorities should be prohibited.

Refugees and Internally Displaced People

43.  Refugee and displaced women are in particular need of assistance and the realisation of their rights. Among displaced people, women bear the heaviest burdens, and are exposed to the greatest deprivation and abuse. While the majority of displaced in Sudan have fled their homes on account of war and hunger, we must not overlook those displaced by development projects including dams on the Nile.

44.  IDPs are suffering from exploitation and abuse. The majority of IDPs are women who have to shoulder heavy economic burdens in caring for their families, and who are vulnerable to sexual abuse and violence. Many are forced into activities such as brewing and commercial sex work, which further expose them to harassment, sexual exploitation and diseases such as HIV/AIDS. IDPs require protection.

45.  Humanitarian agreements for the protection and assistance of IDPs should be established, implemented and monitored. Civil society should be active in mobilising IDPs for assistance and protection and to know their entitlements. Land tenure rights for the displaced should be guaranteed.

46.  Women refugees are suffering in all countries neighbouring Sudan. The UNHCR should make greater efforts to apply international conventions for the protection of refugees, especially women refugees. Refugees in Kenya, Egypt and elsewhere should be provided with guarantees for education, as well as work and stay permits. Special efforts are needed to enable refugees to preserve their culture while they are staying outside their country. Women should enjoy priority in United Nations Resettlement Programmes.

47.  Upon peace, the right of repatriation and resettlement for refugees and Internal Displaced Persons should be guaranteed.

Women in Prison

48.  Women in prison are among the most vulnerable to exploitation, sexual harassment including rape. Many are separated from their children and there are no adequate provisions for mothers with children. Laws protecting prisoners should be enforced strictly. Legal aid to assist women detainees should be a priority for civil society organisations. Rehabilitation services should be provided for women prisoners.

Stopping Violence against Women

49.  Laws protecting women against domestic violence should be enforced and where necessary, introduced. There are needs to a widespread public education campaign concerning problems of violence against women, with special attention to education in schools and in media.

50.  Sexual abuse including rape and sexual harassment in Sudan and particularly in the war zones should be strictly prohibited and all necessary measures taken to prevent it and to punish the perpetrators.

Plan of Action: Strategy

51.  We call upon all the participants in this conference, both women and men, to commit themselves to work towards implementation of the recommendations.

52.  The detailed reports and recommendations from the workshops will be appended to this Declaration and should be considered integral parts of it.

Short-Term Strategies

53.  The conference recommended the formation of a Sudanese Women’s network.

54.  To ensure the follow-up of these recommendations, it is agreed to convene the Sudan women’s conference every 2-3 years.  The coordinators in consultation with others will determine the operational methods of  the network  and the venue of the conference.

55.  Formation of voluntary thematic committees to follow-up recommendations of the first Civil Forum of Sudan Conference on Women’s Rights in the Sudan: Agenda for the Future.

56.  Lobbying, advocacy and campaigning for physical protection of civilians, particularly women using the Geneva Conventions.

57.  The Civil Forum of Sudan (CFS) should act as a liaison body for provision and dissemination of information to all thematic committees.

58.  The Civil Forum of Sudan is to act as a focal point to build alliances and bridges at local, regional and international levels.

59.  Engagement with political parties should be pursued toward gender-sensitive policies and politics.

60.  Research, documentation and data collection for women’s rights should be utilised as a tool for monitoring, lobbying and advocacy.

61.  The involvement of the civil society, particularly women, in peace negotiations, including the IGAD process.

62.  Women should participate in all peace discussions including grassroots, national and international levels.

63.  Capacity building of women in all specializations and vocational training, particularly in peace negotiations and peace building.

64.  Awareness raising and advocacy campaigns about CEDAW and all human rights instruments and conventions.

Medium-Term Strategies

65.  Campaign for 30% representation of women in political parties at all levels.

66.  Research, documentation and data collection as a tool for monitoring, lobbying and advocacy.

67.  Awareness raising and advocacy campaigns about CEDAW and all human rights instruments and conventions.

68.  Capacity building of women in all specialisations, particularly in peace negotiations and peace building in addition to vocational training.

69.  Establishment of war trauma counselling centres.

70.  Women to participate in education policies and curriculum development to ensure gender-sensitive education.

71.  Awareness raising on harmful practices and circumcision and its negative impact on women and girls.

72.  Development of comprehensive programmes for rape victims to include legal protection, counselling and material assistance.

Longer-Term Strategies

73.  Gender equity mainstreaming in all institutions of a democratic Sudanese government.

74.  Review of all the laws, including the Constitution, and advocacy for just laws for all Sudanese regardless of religious beliefs and faiths.

75.  Advocacy for education rights for all with especial emphasis on women’s education.

76.  Gender-sensitive education systems through gender-sensitive curriculum and the vigorous  use of media campaigns for promotion of women’s rights.

77.  Advocacy for reproductive rights of women.

78.  Multi-dimensional approach to poverty alleviation including social, economic and political rights.

79.  Enactment of laws to protect women and girls from circumcision and other harmful practices.

80.  Campaigns for constitutional recognition of motherhood rights.

81.  Lobbying for United Nations enforcement agencies to safeguard and protect refugees and IDPs.

82.  Plans and strategies to link Sudanese families in the Diaspora with home.