16 Days of Activism Campaign

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM TO END VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

 DEMAND JUSTICE FOR CRIMES COMMITTED AGAINST WOMEN IN DARFUR

 From November 25th to December 10th (International Human Rights Day), 2019, Darfur Women Action Group (DWAG) will launch a campaign to mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign – a worldwide initiative to shed light on violence against women and girls.

During these 16 days, DWAG invites you to join us in demanding justice for the victims of violence as well as accountability for perpetrators of crimes committed against women in Darfur and across Sudan. We will use this opportunity to bring attention to the long-standing genocidal attacks against women in Darfur and to recognize the courage, resilience, and resolve of these women, who continue to rise up despite their unspeakable suffering. Darfuri women have endured unimaginable pain over the last 16 years and, yet, have demonstrated outstanding leadership as they stand up for themselves and their people who continue to live in makeshift camps for 17 years today.

To participate in our campaign, share our LEARN and LISTEN, messages on social media to bring awareness about this issue and then TAKE ACTION to help the women in Darfur.

THE SITUATION IN DARFUR

Since 2003, violent attacks, rape, arrests, and torture have devastated the lives of the innocent civilians of Darfur. By 2006, over 300,000 civilians had been killed, 4 million had been forced from their homes, and over 5000 villages had been completely destroyed. To this day, government forces continue to use rape as a weapon of war with total impunity and as a method of terrorizing women and girls.

Despite the recent developments in Sudan, 3 million people continue to be without their homes with the overwhelming majority of the internal camps’ population being women and children. Nothing has improved for them, as their plight has not been a priority for Sudan’s interim government

As a result of the impunity for crimes committed in Darfur, the government of Sudan has extended its use of rape to other regions. On June 3, 2019, when Rapid Support forces stormed the protesters during a sit-in, killing over 150 people, an estimated 70 women were raped or sexually assaulted – and the perpetrators have yet to face any consequences.

Sudanese President al-Bashir has been the person chiefly responsible for these horrific crimes and is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on three counts of genocide, two counts of war crimes and five counts of crimes against humanity. President al-Bashir, although recently ousted from the Presidency, his military apparatus still actively pursuing his genocidal policy in Darfur and other regions of Sudan despite these warrants and continues to victimize women with impunity as the international community fails to bring him to trial.

World leaders have faced the situation in Darfur in silence.

Because Darfur now lacks the attention of the world, many think the genocide is over. Reports from Darfur confirmed that during this year alone there have been over 157 violent incidents against civilians and the Sudanese Government has destroyed 60+ villages. Over 3 million people who were displaced are still unable to return home in fear for their lives. Many Darfuri now live in internally displaced and refugee camps in Sudan and Chad – where the overwhelming majority (about 80-95%) are women and children. At the same time, rape continues to be a systematic tactic and deliberate policy of the regime and is used as a weapon of war and means of intimidation, even after the ousting al-Bashir.

 WE NEED YOU, YOUR VOICE, AND YOUR SUPPORT

 We need to mobilize the masses to shed light on this dire situation and take further action towards tangible change. It only takes one person for positive change to begin. DWAG will remain vigilant and refuse to condone the silence of the international community. We say NO to the silent conspiracy on Darfur and YES to empowering survivors and ordinary citizens to speak up.

JOIN US IN OUR #16DAYSCAMPAIGN  #JUSTICEFORDARFUR #JUSTICEFORWOMEN

 LEARN Make an effort to understand the situation in Darfur, the ongoing genocide, and how it affects women and girls. We will be sharing stories and reports and provide you with more opportunities to learn.

LISTEN Hear and share the stories of Darfuri women, their suffering, and outstanding resilience.

TAKE ACTION.  Join us in taking at least once action that will help end violence against women in Darfur:

  • Use the hashtag #JusticeForDarfur to send a message to the member states of the ICC and call their attention to the ongoing plight and demand that they bring al-Bashir and other Sudanese suspects to trial.
  • Raise awareness by sharing our campaign content on social media using the hashtag #16DaysCampaign #JusticeForDarfur.

Donate to DWAG to support a rehabilitation center for women survivors of sexual violence in Darfur.

Share our campaign with 5-10 people in your network and help us spread the word

  • Join our Rapid Response Network, a group of community members who are on standby to help us with campaigns and petitions.

Send a solidarity message that we can share with our supporters and the women in Darfur: campaign@darfurwomenaction.org

Thank you for your continued support

Truly yours,

Niemat Ahmadi, President