Darfur Project- Extending hands to the women of Darfur during times of exclusion

SIHA has been working across Darfur since 2003 and our work has undergone various phases of challenges. SIHA has managed to sustain its existence and operation in Darfur attempting to adjust according to the local context as much as possible. Our office in South Darfur is currently still operating and our registration has been renewed for another year by the local authorities. During the course of past experiences, SIHA has established strong ties with the local community, women and civil society groups in the urban centres and in the IDP camps in Darfur.

Oxfam Novib recently renewed their funding for SIHA work in Darfur for the period of 2010-2011. This new project, Extending hands to women of Darfur during times of exclusion is aimed at;

·     Reducing the status of vulnerability and exposure to violence among IDP women SIHA is attempting to revive the income generation activities and the literacy classes for women IDPs in the three camps for the activities to be facilitated by Afag Almustgbal.

·    Young IDPs women literacy classes. The classes are facilitated by women adult literacy teachers form the community and SIHA provides them with training on how to facilitate awareness as part of the literacy program.  SIHA through Afag Almusgbal and the Neswa group runs three literacy classes in Balil, Otach and Sakali. Each class has 25-30 learners and they have five to six part time literacy teachers.

·    Missing links-rebuilding local support networks SIHA is reviving the support network for women and girls and has started to reconnect women with local and limited available international resources. Moreover, SIHA is undertaking further case work and psychosocial  support training for the women members of our Neswa Coalition and the local IDPs Afag association

·    Continue to enhance women’s participation in Darfur peace and security: SIHA continues to facilitate and support women from the three regions of Darfur in participation on peace talks and negotiations. This is done by adopting different strategies to support women’s participation through their engagement in international and regional meetings and to facilitate the collaboration of Neswa with agencies such as UNIFEM and foreign embassies that have influence to allow Darfur women a platform on the negotiation table.

·    Work closely with the local police women Units: Despite the fact the limitations around the establishment of the women police unites, as SIHA we do believe that we do need to invest on supporting this initiative by the local government. SIHA will work to introduce them to local IDPs women, by organizing meetings and consultations. We will also map the capacity and mandate of the units and look at their role and abilities to support women.

·    International advocacy work: SIHA will continue to reflect and advocate on the situation of the Darfur women internationally and regionally, through our website and upcoming publications and by always seeking international and regional engagement and opening opportunities for the women of Darfur.