OUR PHILOSOPHY
Women are not simply victims. Despite the magnitude of the crisis in Darfur, women have demonstrated extraordinary resilience and strength. We are aiming to utilize the power and strength of women and reinforce it with education and by sharing stories to maximize their effort in combating the genocide in Darfur.
WHY DARFURI WOMEN?
The conflict in Darfur is deeply rooted in its political, economic, and social marginalization. In the current genocide in Darfur, women remain the most affected as rape continues to be used as a weapon of war. Women and girls have endured all kinds of brutality and horror, yet they still remain the primary care givers of their families and important partners in society, carrying up the torch of hope and enlightening the path for peace.
Currently, women and children make up about 80% of those who live in the internally displaced and refugee camps. However, they continue to be the least involved in finding sustainable solutions. In order to bring an end to the crisis in Darfur, it is imperative that we involve those who have been historically excluded. Women are crucial socially, culturally, economically and in innumerable other aspects of Sudanese life, hence it is essential that they too have a say in how their futures are shaped. We believe ending genocide and restoring communities will not be possible without lifting the voice of those most affected and empowering them to regain their confidence while also giving them the tools necessary to rebuild their lives and be productive citizens wherever they are, whether in exile or in Darfur.
In the diaspora, female refugees from Darfur are very isolated and face numerous challenges in integrating themselves into their new society. Therefore DWAG’s plan is to work with the Darfuri women in the United States to overcome their challenges and build their capacity to be able to contribute to their society in the US and support their counterparts who are still suffering in Sudan, enabling them to be active participants in the rebuilding of their society when peace is achieved.
