Women at the International Women's Day wearing "taubs"

When we entered the premises of the Nubian Club in Khartoum, we found ourselves in the busyness of a beehive. Women in colourful scarfs and taubs – a sari-like garment which covers all of their body except the face – were preparing the last bits for the celebration of the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2009. This day is celebrated each year on March 8 to highlight the economic, political and social achievements of women around the world. Sudanese women became involved in national politics from the mid-1940s onwards and secured the right to votein 1953 and since have – theoretically – an unfettered right to elect and be elected in presidential, federal, state and local elections. Especially in the 1950s and 1960s, women campaigned successfully for women’s rights, amongst them equal pay for equal work, longer maternity leave with payment, political rights and rights to vote.

Explaining livelihood strategies

Activities however were dismantled during the last decades due to political circumstances. Promoting women’s rights and women’s participation presents as such a significant challenge in nowadays Sudan.

Sudanese civil society has used the International Women’s Day to create awareness about women’s rights for several years. A number of CSOs and institutions related to women and gender issues decided to continue with this tradition and celebrate the International Women’s Day 2009 in Khartoum. Although these CSOs received some financial and technical support from various international donors, this has always been a civil society-driven event – it lives and breathes through the commitment and voluntary work of civil society movements and like-minded individuals. This year the groups from all over Sudan agreed to work on overcoming gender inequality and the particular conditions that keep women in poverty.

Southern Sudanese woman wearing traditional costume

International actors like DED have been invited to join the planning process, supporting the Sudanese CSOs upon request on an organisational as well as financial level. DED additionally contributed with the participation of two Development Advisors and a Junior Development Worker as well as with the support of the CSO Advisory Office.

The actual IWD on March 8 started with a festive parade through the twinned cities of Khartoum and Omdurman comprising around ten buses which were decorated with banners. Upon their return to the venue at the Nubian Club a large celebration with about 800 people from afternoon to almost midnight took place to acclaim women's solidarity. There was a full programme of music, speeches and drama, including artists from IDP settlements, speakers from Sudanese civil society, and Sudan’s leading vocalist Amal Al Noor. During the day, all participants made use of the large premises of the Nubian Club: The diverse Sudanese CSOs presented their work at info stalls with posters, brochures and slideshows, amongst others concerning, women’s rights, the abolition of FGM (Female Genital Mutilation), empowerment, and mother and child care. Local Sudanese handicraft was for sale, created in Income-Generating Activities (IGA) of Sudanese CSOs and CBOs, while inside the premises there was an art exhibition and power point presentations about specific topics, like reproductive health programmes for young adults.

In the evening, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms Navanethem Pillay, addressed the celebration party and also handed out a message from the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, highlighting the importance of the fight against violence against women. On behalf of the Sudanese CSOs, Ms Niemat Kuku of the Gender Centre for Research and Training (GCRT), which is a partner organisation of DED, spoke about achievements to overcome women’s poverty.

With discussion circles, and lots of joyful dancing, the day came slowly to a successful end.

The cooperation and interchange between DED and the Sudanese civil society has once more been a fruitful one, and all partners are looking forward to repeating the event next year.