WEPD - Women Empowerment for Peace and Development Network .
The Women Empowerment for Peace and Development (WEPD) was founded in 1997 as one of the working committees as part of an initiative to facilitate the participation of Sudanese women in the peace process in Sudan. WEPD is a non-governmental, a-political, and non-profitable institution. The network is composed of 63 CBOs and NGOs as well as of individual consultant members.
With the vision of having a Sudan where all people may enjoy sustainable peace, justice and freedom, WEPD is working steadily towards the recognition of the important role that women play in the peace movement. Facilitating women’s work towards their own agenda and increasing actual participation of Sudanese women in the peace processes of the country is completing the mission of the WEPD network.
Main objectives of WEPD's work .
Networking: An enabling environment for the empowerment of women in Sudanese civil society is created. Women participate in international, regional, and local relevant events.
Analysis: Different patterns associated to the peace process are identified and research in the areas of peace, human rights, and democracy is conducted and published.
Mobilisation: Capacities of member organisations are strengthened and women’s role in the post-conflict area at different levels towards gender and peace issues is enhanced.
Some examples of activities and achievements .
Participation in Oslo Civil Society Forum and Gender Symposium as well as Donor Meeting, March 2005: WEPD accomplished to prepare the “Women Priorities” document together with other NGOs and academic institutions during the conference.
Improved cooperation among women in political and peace processes:
For example, during The Hague Appeal for Peace a delegation composed of women from Northern and Southern Sudan lobbied the Dutch government to support peace initiatives. As a result, a series of capacity development programmes were offered, which were supported by the government of the Netherlands.
Training of trainers on peace, conflict resolution and human rights issues in Darfur, Nuba Mountains, Blue Nile state, Kassala and Red Sea.
Successful engagement for a women's quota regulation in the new Sudanese election system.
Contact .
Somaya El Bashir (President)
Bioukan Street, Khartoum 3
Email: somayaelbashir@gmail.com
