Omdurman Declaration: Women call on AU to Ratify Women’s Rights Protocol

Omdurman Declaration on the imperative for Sudan
to Ratify the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa,

Ahfad University, Omdurman, Sudan, 21st January 2006

We, more than 100 women of Sudan gathered here today in Omdurman representing women civil society activists, academicians and women from various professions in the forum organized by Babkir Badri Association for women, Ahfad university for women and other African and international women and human rights groups as part of the Solidarity for African Womens’ Rights Coalition’s campaign on the African Union Protocol on Women’s Rights in Africa

Conscious that the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the National Constitution both provide for human and womens’ rights principles and;

Encouraged by the progress made thus far for implementing the comprehensive peace agreement in Sudan;

We recognize that, this present historical moment offers a window of opportunity towards sustainable peace for the country that can not be achieved without full participation of Sudanese women and;

That, the promotion and protection of women’s human rights is the very first step towards peace and development in Sudan;

We welcome the hosting of the 6th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of States meeting in Sudan and hoping that the outcome of the meeting will accelerate peace and sustainable development in Africa and;

Noting that Sudan has already ratified major international and regional human rights instruments including the African Charter for People’s and Human Rights;

We hereby call upon the Government of the National Unity of Sudan to use the opportunity of 52 Heads of States during the AU Summit to publicly express their intention to ratify the African Union Protocol on the Rights of Women In Africa at the earliest possible opportunity.

Ahfad University of Women
Babkir Badri Association for Women
Solidarity for African Women’s Rights Coalition
Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa

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