Blog 3

SUDAN

Sudan is considered the fastest growing economy in the world yet they are so behind when it comes to gender equality. Although they are behind the government is striving to end violence against women and make their voices heard. Sudan is currently the 17th fastest growing economy in the world and women political involvement has increases by 25% due to provisions within the Interim National Constitution and the elections Act of 2008. 

Violence Against Sudanese Women

Violence against Women and Girls is regarded as a "prevalent and critical hindering for human development and peace building in Sudan" (United Nations p. 4). Women in Sudan face extreme danger everyday and there are no laws in place to protect them or consequences for those who harm them. Sudanese women are also more affected by various conflicts across the country but are not involved in leadership and participation talks that could make a positive change in their lives. To combat this issue sudanese women are focused on participating in decision making at all levels. The Sudanese government aims to influence policies and legal frameworks by increasing women's leadership and participation especially in local and national elections. 

They believe that having more women in power will gives voices to issues that concern women and create laws and regulations to protect women. Women's involvement with strengthen Women"s economy empowerment through the adoption and implementation of "national plans, legislations, policies, strategies, and budgets"(United Nations p. ). Women in leadership will contribute to making laws against domestic violence, rape of women, and public order laws. There can finally be laws against things like female genital cutting/manipulating which is widely practiced in Sudan without any consequences. 

Although there is no monetary value to this agenda a quota system has been put into place in the lower House of Parliament reserving 60 seats for women out of a total of 446 seats. Compared to the rest of the world Sudan's representation of women in parliament is only 5% behind. This is a good start to reaching SDG 5  and can only be successful if these Women's voices are truly heard and there are actions to support their voices. 

How Does Climate Change Effect Sudanese Women?

Like many developing countries climate change posses a huge risk to Sudanese women "because of their little capacity to adapt"(Mai, p 1). Women are not informed about the threat climate change poses globally so they can not contribute to climate change adaptation and mitigation. Women rely more on natural resources, have higher rates of illiteracy, low skills and low access to professional employment which means they are more vulnerable to climate change than men. Although women would contribute greatly to combating climate change, they receive little to no education on the issue and there are no efforts to make that possible.

The Sudanese government knows what needs to be done to reach SDG 5 and is on the path to making it possible even though we have not seen any huge changes. Once laws and actions are implemented the country will be much safer for Women and SDG 5 can be reached. 

            References

Flag of Sudan. (2020, August 25). Retrieved September 28, 2020, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Sudan

», M. (2016, February 15). South Sudanese and Sudanese Women Advocate to Opposition Leaders, Government. Retrieved September 28, 2020, from https://www.inclusivesecurity.org/2016/02/15/south-sudanese-and-sudanese-women-advocate-to-opposition-leaders-government/

Mai, N., Jok, J., & Tiitmamer, N. (2018, August 01). Climate Change and Gender in South Sudan. Retrieved September 28, 2020, from https://www.africaportal.org/publications/climate-change-and-gender-south-sudan/

Sudanese women seek justice one year after pro-democracy crackdown. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2020, from https://www.pri.org/stories/2020-06-03/sudanese-women-seek-justice-one-year-after-pro-democracy-crackdown

Where we are : Eastern and Southern Africa : Sudan. (n.d.). Retrieved September 28, 2020, from https://africa.unwomen.org/en/where-we-are/eastern-and-southern-africa/sudan