PRIO had the privilege of hosting Manal Ahmed Ismail Alawal - a member of The Sudanese Coordination of Civil Democratic Forces and The Forces of Freedom and Change - a prominent advocate for women’s rights in Sudan, who shared her insights and valuable perspectives on the challenges Sudanese women face and the critical role they play in the pursuit of peace.
During the event Manala Alawal discussed with the participants about how the Civil Society faces many challenges in Sudan, making it difficult to advocate for peace, more so for women. Despite their active engagement and well-organized networks, Sudanese women often remain absent from leadership roles and seldom have the platform to promote their voices in public forums. In a context where leadership is predominantly male, women’s rights often go unheard, even as they endure daily threats, including sexual violence and rape, even used as weapons of war. Many women and children have fled to neighbouring countries to seek safety, yet still face dangers such as sickness, limited healthcare, and lack of clean water. The peace talks in Geneva have sparked hope among Sudanese women for a ceasefire and, ultimately, lasting peace. Manal Alawal also reported that during the talks, they expressed aspirations for meaningful engagement in peace processes and future political participation.
PRIO Research Professor Øystein H. Rolandsen moderated the event, and Marit Hernæs (SFS) provided comments. It was co-organized with the Norwegian Council for Africa (Fellesrådet for Afrika), The Norwegian Red Cross, and the Sudan and South Sudan Support Group (Støttegruppa for Sudan og Sør-Sudan). Through this event, the GPS Centre underscored the importance of a gender-inclusive approach to peacebuilding in Sudan. It reinforced its commitment to supporting Sudanese women as vital contributors to the path toward lasting peace.
