Workshop to Develop the Basic Framework of Sudan’s Plan to End Conflict-Related Sexual Violence

Report by:Haffiya Elyas
Photo/Hamza Al-Sir

The Minister of State at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, Sulima Ishaq, affirmed the government’s efforts to eliminate all forms of conflict-related sexual violence, noting Sudan’s and the government’s commitment to protecting women and girls, ending impunity, and restoring safety for women and girls. Salima participated in the National Workshop to Develop the Basic Framework of Sudan’s Plan to End Conflict-Related Sexual Violence, organized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development in cooperation with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Port Sudan, noting that the government has made moves in this framework with local and international partners.

Ishaq said in press statements that the workshop comes in implementation of the framework agreement signed with the United Nations on April 15, 2024. She pointed out that a commitment to this principle comes through the great partnership between the government and civil society, as demonstrated by what is happening today in the workshop. She noted that the workshop includes the government, civil society, the United Nations, and international organizations.

She added that the session aims to establish the basic features, represented in the reform of issues related to security, safety, and access to justice, noting that the implementation of the plan is linked to community partnership. She stated that the workshop represents the first stage, and in the second phase, there will be advice on the plan after its features are clear at all different levels and among the various parties in society.

Shatha Najm El-Din Ahmed, Executive Director of Nada Al-Azhar Organization (a national organization led by women), confirmed that the workshop is considered the first of its kind after the outbreak of war in the country on 15-4-2023, explaining that the workshop discusses the strategic framework for conflict-related violence.

She said that the workshop came as a result of the close cooperation between the government and civil society organizations in general, especially women-led organizations, to consult on this sensitive file, indicating that the workshop is the basic building block of a program that enables the reduction and end of conflict-related violence.

Dr. Rowaida Awad, Head of the Gender-Based Violence and Health Response Unit for Cases of Gender-Based Violence at the Ministry of Health, pointed out that the workshop addresses the overall response to cases resulting from sexual violence during conflict situations through the development of the National Plan for Protection from Violence.