Author: DWAG Communication

DWAG President Niemat Ahmadi Named One of Africa’s 100 Influential Women

Darfur Women Action Group’s founder and president, Niemat Ahmadi, will be honored as one of Africa’s 100 Most Influential Women at the 2024 African Women Conference and Awards.

The African Women Awards aims to identify and publicly recognize women from all across Africa who have been outstanding in their professional activities and personal conduct, who have made extraordinary achievements, and who have made indelible positive impacts on their respective communities, societies, and/or economies either within the respective jurisdictions within which they operate or across regions of Africa or the entire continent.

This year’s conference is being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on November 26th. Congratulations Niemat!

 

About the 2024 African Women Awards:
The 3rd African Women Awards, in collaboration with ACTION AID and HUNGER PROJECT, held at the SAPPHIRE ADDIS HOTEL in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on November 26, 2024, has brought together a vibrant community of African women leaders in business, politics, and social activism.

This year’s theme, “RETHINKING GENDER MAINSTREAMING IN AFRICA FOR WOMEN EMPOWERMENT,” highlighted the importance of challenging traditional gender norms to achieve greater equality and prosperity for women in Africa. The event aimed to recognize and celebrate the achievements of African women who have made significant contributions to their communities and the continent as a whole.

The Awards featured a diverse range of women from across African countries, including Ghana, Liberia, South Sudan, Congo, Somalia, Ethiopia, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, and Sierra Leone, among others. These outstanding women were recognized for their leadership in business, education, healthcare, politics, and social entrepreneurship.

The 3rd African Women Awards is a testament to the dedication and perseverance of African women in breaking down barriers and achieving their goals. These trailblazers serve as role models for future generations of women in Africa and beyond. The Awards recognize the critical role that women play in driving economic growth, social justice, and human development in Africa.

We congratulate all the winners and nominees on their outstanding achievements. Their contributions to African societies are a beacon of hope and inspiration for women everywhere.

For more information about the 3rd African Women Awards and to see a list of all the winners, please visit our website: https://afwa.thebusinessexecutive.net/

Watch: Niemat Ahmadi and Danai Gurira at the Global Citizen Festival

DWAG president and founder Niemat Ahmadi joined actress Danai Gurira on stage at the 2024 Global Citizens Festival to demand justice for the victims of gender-based violence in Sudan and around the world.

Niemat and Danai spoke to an expected crowd of 60,000 people in New York City’s Central Park about the need for gender equity and accountability for violence against women.

Watch Niemat’s remarks


Watch on YouTube.

 

 

 

DWAG Advocates for Sudan at UNGA 80

DWAG attended the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week to raise awareness about the dire situation in Darfur and advocate for justice and accountability in Sudan.

Our founder and president, Niemat Ahmadi, spoke on a panel about Sudan co-hosted by UN Women and the foreign ministries of Canada, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Niemat’s panel highlighted the dire situation in El Fasher, conflict-related sexual violence against women and girls, and accountability for crimes committed in Sudan.

DWAG also distributed letters to the president of UN General Assembly and the members state of the UN Security Council urging the prioritization of civilian protection, urgent delivery of humanitarian aid, and accountability for perpetrators and enablers who supply weapons to the warring parties.

Watch: 2024 Free Future Panel with DWAG President

On September 17th, DWAG President and Founder Niemat Ahmadi participated in a panel at Free Future 2024: Preventing Gender Violence Around the World in New York City.

Free Future is an annual event, hosted by the Ford Foundation in partnership with The Meteor, Skoll Foundation, and UN Women.

Niemat’s panel discussed gender-based violence in conflict zones with a specific focus on Sudan. Her conversation with actress Danai Gurira and UN Women’s Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda was moderated by Nancee Oku Bright from the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict.

You can watch the full program or skip to Niemat’s panel at 02:58:00 below:

https://vimeo.com/1011365322/0088fb9a7a

Gender Violence in Conflict Zones: Let’s Talk About Sudan

Danai Gurira
Award-winning actress, playwright, and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador

Niemat Ahmadi
President of Darfur Women Action Group

Nyaradzayi Gumbonzvanda
Deputy Executive Director, UN Women

Nancee Oku Bright (moderator)
Chief of Staff, Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General
on Sexual Violence in Conflict

#FREEFUTURE24 #UNGAXFORD #ENDGBV

MSF’s The Human Cost of Conflict and Violence in Sudan

On behalf of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), Darfur Women Action Group is writing to bring your attention to MSF’s latest report, “A War on People: The Human Cost of Conflict and Violence in Sudan,” released on July 22nd. This report underscores the dire humanitarian crisis unfolding in Sudan, where over a year of relentless conflict has exacted a devastating toll on civilians. Despite international calls for protection and commitments, the disregard for human life persists unabated, with hospitals and healthcare providers increasingly targeted. The report, drawing on extensive medical data and firsthand testimonies, paints a stark picture of the profound suffering endured by millions. As MSF bears witness to these atrocities, we urge immediate action to halt indiscriminate attacks, ensure safe passage for the vulnerable, and hold perpetrators accountable under international law. We appeal for urgent humanitarian assistance to prevent further escalation of this crisis. Your support in disseminating this report and amplifying its urgent call for action would be invaluable.

View Médecins Sans Frontières report.

Giving Tuesday: An Opportunity to give a gift that can make a difference

To our beloved DWAG community,

On this Giving Tuesday, we are reaching out to you for urgent messages about the situation in Darfur and seeking your help with life saving donations!

As of this past week, Darfur has completely fallen under the genocidal militias – Rapid Support Force (RSF)’s control – with the exception of Elfasher city, in North Darfur – which is also currently on the brink of collapse. In recent weeks, mass killing has escalated to an alarming rate but the world remained silent. This is why we are appealing to you for help to make our voices louder in demanding an action.

We at DWAG have been organizing around the clock, speaking up, reaching out to policy makers, documenting atrocities, and providing the limited emergency response that we can. In spite of the daunting challenges, we continue to bring attention to the dire humanitarian and security situation and demand that the international community take steps to protect civilians in Darfur and to pursue accountability for those responsible.   

Our mission is strong but our resources are limited. That is why we would like to give you the opportunity during this giving Tuseday to join our life saving effort and to help us fight for protection, peace, and justice for the victims of genocide in Darfur.  

We urge you to please donate to DWAG through https://www.darfurwomenaction.org/donate/ or other organizations providing support to the local level emergency response initiatives in Sudan. Other ways to help: you can also download the template of “Letter To The Congress” from our website at https://www.darfurwomenaction.org/sample-letter-a-letter-to-the-congress/ and send it to your representatives and call their offices to ask that they be the voice for the people of Sudan in ending the genocide and holding perpetrators accountable.

Support our campaign Sudan Needs You! and share it via your social media platform. 

The crises in Sudan and the catastrophe in Darfur are of global magnitude which requires global action, but if we can speak in one voice and demand and donate to change, we can end genocide and hold perpetrators accountable.

With our collective effort we can make a difference, and today, of all days, is the opportunity to do so!

With Gratitude!

Niemat Ahmadi 

DWAG President and DWAG Team

For more information, please contact: communication@darfurwomenaction.org.

Take Action: Letter to the Editor

The Sudan Needs You! advocacy campaign has ended. To learn more about the situation in Darfur and what you can do to help, visit our action center.

Download a Letter To Editors template or modify the example below.

Niemat Ahmadi
Darfur Women Action Group
niemat@darfurwomenaction.org
11/20/2023
[Name of Publication or Newspaper]
[Address of Publication or Newspaper]

Dear Editor,

My letter is to refer to the tremendous events that occurred in Sudan. The war in Sudan that spread on April 15th, 2023 is now completely out of control. While the atrocities in Khartoum may constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under the international law, in Darfur, an active
genocide has been systematically carried out against indigenous African people. The international community must take action to end it and hold those responsible accountable.

 

As of this week, Darfur has completely fallen under Rapid Support Force’s control – with the exception of Elfasher, in North Darfur. In recent weeks, mass killings have escalated to an alarming rate, but the world has remained silent. The mass killings in the Darfur region have escalated to an
alarming scale, first in El Geneina, West Darfur, and now in Ardamta Kutum, Tawila in North Darfur, Mornay in West Darfur, and Nyala in South Darfur. The inaction of the international community is indirectly legitimizing the slaughter and extermination of the indigenous African
population in Sudan. The only city that has yet to be attacked is El-Daein, the capital of East Darfur state and the stronghold of Rezaigat tribes, however, the military in El-Daein has declared its full support and affiliation to the RSF.

 

The RSF’s attacks are systemic and precisely directed toward the indigenous African population. These attacks include mass slaughtering of innocent people, deprivation of access to food, water, and medical assistance, a blockade to the access of phone services, internet, electricity, and other
services. These actions constitute a precise strategy to isolate civilians and to eliminate all survival means and humanitarian aid. News confirmed that over 1,300 civilians have been slaughtered; among the murdered were over 800 young men, most of whom are between the ages of 15-30. Since the beginning of the war, it is estimated that more than 1.2 million people fled from their homes. Most of them are women and children with approximately 1 in 6 of whom are with disabilities. Women of all ages are in terrible danger as they are targeted constantly to be treated as
sexual slaves and raped on a daily basis.

 

Here the immediate actions that need to be taken:

  • Robust intervention to protect civilians and to stop the genocide in Darfur.
  • Open unhindered humanitarian access channel in Sudan and Darfur to reach all those in need.
  • Pursue accountability for those most responsible for the past and current genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur and across the Sudan.
  • Impose targeted sanctions such as freezing assets, travel bans, and sanctioning all business associated with the two warring generals in Sudan in order to cut the funding for their weapons.
  • Provide support of the CSOs and women who are historically marginalized Sudanese civilians in order to have the capacity and voice at all levels of decision-making for solutions to the current crises.

 

It is particularly important that there is media coverage of these atrocities and that our leaders care. Reporting on these horrific situations is crucial to bringing attention and to mobilizing political action that may help save lives. Silence and lack of reporting will aid the perpetrator. Remember, as
humans, we have a moral and ethical obligation to speak up when acts of genocide occur.

Sincerely,

Niemat Ahmadi

DWAG promises not to share it with any others nor will we use it for any purposes other than sending updates about the situation in Darfur, Sudan, and updates on any DWAG activities.

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For more up to date information, please contact: communication@darfurwomenaction.org.