Women's Empowerment for Peace and Development Network (WEPD)

WEPD seeks to improve the participation and status of women in Sudan's peace process.

Overview

The Women's Empowerment for Peace and Development Network was started under the name of Sudanese Women’s Civil Society Network for Peace (SWCSNP). It was established in 1997 with the support of the Netherlands Government and
is composed of 62 NGOs/CBOs and consultant members. It was registered with the Humanitarian Affairs Commission (HAC) on 6/12/2003 and is a non-governmental, non-political, and not-for-profit network. Its primary aim is to encourage Sudanese women to participate in peace efforts.

The main objectives of the organisation are to:

• create an enabling environment for the empowerment of Sudanese women in civil society (WEPD) to play a crucial role in the peace process;
• create a joint forum of Sudanese women to share their experiences in promoting peace;
• participate in international, regional and local events;
• advocate the inclusion of women’s rights in the constitution and an enhanced role for women in the post-conflict era;
• build capacity among the member organisations.

WEPD have presented a women’s perspective in a wide range of national and international forums, for example:

• preparation of the Sudanese Women’s Minimum Agenda for Peace, Nairobi 2000 and the Naivasha position paper, 2003;
• with others, preparation of the Machakos position paper, and participation in the Inter-Sudanse consultation group to advance the peace process in 2004;
• participation in the evaluation of the IGAD peace process by the UN Mission to Sudan 2003, and in a number of UNDP forums.

The organisation’s lobbying helped to ensure that the target of 25% female decision-makers is enshrined in the CPA and the Interim Constitutions.

WEPD have learned through their work:

• the need to be tolerant, committed to objectives, to be a good partner and to give motivation and encouragement;
• as WEPD they learned how to coordinate well;
• to be democratic and fair to all members and a good listener;
• to take the initiative and not wait for others to help;
• mobilisation and community participation are essential for the promotion of culture of peace;
• using locally produced knowledge can help;
• always to build upon what people know and then move forwards.

The organisation has been successful in bringing together women from both North and South Sudan in joint delegations to international conferences. In particular it ensured that the women’s agenda for peace was presented to the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) negotiators. WEPD also stimulated the UN Security Council resolution on Sudan.

What services are provided?

Network coordination, funding allocation, training, advocacy, peacebuilding and capacity building.

Geographical area of operation

Sudan.

Funding resources

Netherlands Embassy.

What new contacts would you like to make?

Similar network working in peacebuilding in Sudan.

Associated Organisations

WEPD is a member of the Sudanese Civil Society Network for the Alleviation of Poverty, the Population Network, and the Horn of Africa Women’s Network for Peace and Development.

Women Empowerment for Peace and Development Network is composed of 62 NGOs/CBOs as follows:

• Abdel-Karim Mirghani Cultural Centre
• African Renaissance charity
• Al Abasia Society for Saving and Insurance Cooperative
• Al Ahafad University for Girls
• Al Fanar
• Al Hara Al Thanya Association
• Al Harza Society
• Al Manar Voluntary Organisation
• Al Saraho Society
• Ana Omdurman Organisation for Development
• Asala Al khairia for Development
• Assma Society for Development,
• Association against Harmful Habits
• Aza Women Society
• Babker Badery Association for Womens’ Study
• Centre for Gender Research and Training
• Centre for Women Studies
• Change for Development
• Child Centre
• Child Development Centre
• Development Solutions Group.
• Environmental Media Association
• Friends of the Homeless Kids Association (AMEL)
• Ganat Al Khairia Association
• Group of Developmental initiative.
• Kafa Organisation for Community Development
• Khartoum Centre for Human Rights and Environmental Development (KCHRED
• Mohamed Omaer Bashier Centre
• Motawinat Group
• Nabta Organisation for Social Development
• Peace and Development and Environment Organisation
• People for People Organisation
• Rabat Elbeiwut Charity association
• Rabiha Alkinanya association
• Refaq for Peace and Development
• Rural Area Women Developmental Association
• Shigla West area Women Society
• Social Development Society
• Society of El Mohandeseen Women
• Society of Teacher before every one else
• South Western Square Society
• Sudan Development Association
• Sudanese Civil Forum
• Sudanese Association for Encouragement of Natural Feeding and Development of Early Childhood
• Sudanese Association for Peace
• Sudanese Development Pioneer’s Association (NIDA)
• Sudanese Environment Conservation Society
• Sudanese Group for Human Rights
• Sudanese Women Alliance
• Sudanese Women’s Association for Conservation of the Environment
• Support of Development Now
• Tayba Centre for Human Development
• Tayba for Advertisement and Publication.
• The Environmentalist Society
• The Prudent Mother Cooperative Association
• Um Al Kiram Al Khairia- Al Fashir North Darfur
• Um El Hoda Women for Peace and Development
• Wak-Woamn Action Group
• Women Awakening Association for Development
• Women’s Empowerment and Development Association in East Sudan
• Women’s Network in Law and Development in Africa
• Zienb organisation for Women’s Development