Sudan

WPHF is filling crucial funding gaps for local women’s organizations in Sudan, supporting them to advance women’s leadership in conflict resolution efforts and strengthening their capacity to work on the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda on the front lines.

Our Work

In Sudan, WPHF is channeling urgently-needed financing to local and grassroots women’s organizations working to sustain their critical operations on the front lines and enhance the role of civil society groups in conflict resolution and the local implementation of WPS commitments in crisis contexts.

Our Partners

WPHF has supported 13 projects implemented by 25 women-led and women’s rights civil society organizations in Sudan: 

• Adeela for Culture and Art— together with Justice Call — on a project to localize WPS commitments to implement the National Action Plan (NAP) 1325. The goal of the project is to create a space for the meaningful participation of young women in peace processes and peacebuilding through targeted capacity development for youth, the development of advocacy tools, the creation of artistic and creative content through various events, the provision of financial and technical support to engage youth in high-level advocacy campaigns.
• International Development Agency (IDA) on a project to increase women’s participation in peacebuilding processes and conflict resolution, as well as to ensure stability and peaceful coexistence in the community through the creation of community peace committees and a networking mechanism for peace.
• Tigana Organization for Women Skills Development on a project to ensure all women’s groups can access their just and equitable rights through i) the launch of the Darfur Women’s Comprehensive Platform and related awareness raising; ii) the establishment of women’s entities; iii) the development of a joint action plan at the local, state and regional level; and iv) the establishment of a preparatory committee to advocate for and integrate the priorities and needs of women in the region’s action plans.
• Women Awareness Initiative (WAI) on a project to enhance the role of women’s organizations in ensuring accountability for WPS commitment by building the capacities of women’s organizations, raising awareness of UNSCR 1325 through workshops and informative and consultative sessions, and strengthening social accountability mechanisms through the establishment of community pressure groups and by supporting advocacy with relevant stakeholders.
• Sudanese Helif for Peace and Development Organization (SHPDO) on a project to promote women’s participation and leadership in peace processes through advocacy, capacity building, and awareness raising for the community. The goal is to promote peace at the local level through the proper management of natural resources and to support vulnerable and marginalized women by rehabilitating a women’s center.
• Nuba Women for Education and Development Association (NuWEDA) on a project to build its staff’s capacity in program and project management and improve its operational performance to create an enabling environment for WPS through trainings, workshops, and the purchase of office equipment.
• Women Initiatives Group (WIG) on a project to strengthen the capacity of its staff, volunteers and partners to enable them to effectively participate and advocate for women’s and girls’ rights by conducting workshops and developing organizational policies and guidelines.
• Sabah Al-Sudan for Development Organization (SDO) — together with Injaz Organization for Gender, Aid and Development and Alradoam Charity Organization — on a project to increase the active participation of Sudanese women activists and women’s organizations in conflict resolution and peace negotiations by providing them with the necessary skills and supporting them through trainings and capacity building workshops, awareness raising and media campaigns, and advocacy.
• Rowya for Learning and Communities Development on a project to increase the representation and leadership of women in formal and informal peace processes. The project will enhance the skills of women activists through trainings and by strengthening the capacities of CSOs, community-based organizations (CBOs) and women’s networks in political participation and peace processes through women-inclusive platforms and networks and consultation meetings with stakeholders.
• Dar El Salam Women Development Association on a project aimed at building the capacity of women’s peace committees, enabling them to create communication channels between members of the local community through trainings, awareness raising sessions, events such as women’s peace forum, exchange visits, and the establishment of a multi-purpose women’s community center.
• Sudan Women Development Organization (SWDO) on a project to build the institutional capacity of the organization by securing rent, purchasing equipment, and strengthening the staff’s capacity in computer, photography, archiving and documentation.

Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic

• Sahari Organization for Development — together with the Sudanese Family Planning Association — on a project to raise awareness on COVID-19 and SRHR as well as provide food security through cash transfers for women economically impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.
• Women’s Wings Organization (WWO) on a project to support women IDPs and their families in Mayo and Elfathin Khartoum through the COVID-19 crisis, aiming to stop misinformation, stigma, and fear about COVID-19 through awareness campaigns, distribute hygiene kits and build women’s capacity to prevent and respond to the pandemic.

Explore our Full List of WPHF COVID-19 Emergency Response Window Partners Around the World

Background

Sudan is still in a transition period with the secession of South Sudan in July 2011 and the subsequent loss of about 75% of the country’s oil resources. The economy is expected to recover gradually with revival of the agriculture industry, increases in oil production and gold mining. However, soaring inflation, a high fiscal deficit and sanctions could reduce Sudan’s potential for socio-economic development. Nearly half (46.5%) of the population of Sudan falls below the poverty line. The 2013 Human Development Report shows Sudan with a low Human Development Index (HDI) ranking of 171 out of 183 countries despite its much higher ranking National Income (GNI). In addition, Sudan ranks 129 among 148 countries on the Gender Inequality Index in the report.

Women’s political participation has increased as a result of provisions within the Interim National Constitution and the Elections Act of 2008, which mandate 25% representation of women in parliament. This has resulted in a marked increase of women parliamentarians now exceeding the quota at 28%, but short of the international threshold of 33% women’s representation in parliament.

Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) is regarded as a prevalent and critical hindering factor for human development and peacebuilding in Sudan. The country has a weak normative framework regarding SGBV, as it is not a state party to the Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). Women are disproportionately affected by the various conflicts and security situations across the country, yet their involvement in leadership and participation in peace talks, conflict resolutions, and peacebuilding continue to reflect only token treatment.

Our Vision

In Sudan, WPHF aims to ensure the financing and coordination of local civil society organizations, empowering women as leaders and key humanitarian actors in the fight against COVID-19 on the road to sustainable peace.