Sudan Women Protest

Sudan Women Protest is a community of courageous women activists who have been at the frontline of the Sudanese revolution, fighting for peace and justice for the people of Sudan. 

Sudan has been witnessing a strong, peaceful movement since December 2018, when protests on economic grievances broadened to demands for civil and political rights, the rule of law, and democracy. On 6 April 2019, President Omar Al-Bashir was removed from power after 26 years of authoritarian rule, and replaced by a Transitional Military Council, but protests continued to demand a transition to civilian administration. Despite the brutal massacre of more than 100 peaceful protesters at a sit-in in Khartoum, and gruful tactics as arbitrary detention, torture and  rape by security forces, the people of Sudan continued to demand peace, justice, and human rights for all.

Women have been at the forefront of the uprising: they motivated fellow citizens, organised and mobilised protests, formed leadership committees, and guided people  across the country. They made the important connection between political demands, such as rule of law and democracy, and women rights, including reforming restrictive laws against women, and addressing widespread violations like rape. Women in Darfur, the Nuba Mountains, and Blue Nile brought attention to violations by government forces in their conflict-affected regions, including sexual violence. Women of the diaspora also played a crucial role to shed light on the situation on the ground, and bringing it to the attention of  the international community, through powerful campaigns.  

“I am accepting this on behalf of millions of Sudanese women,” said Hala Al Karib, the Regional Director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in The Horn of Africa (SIHA Network), who received the award on behalf of Sudan Women Protest.  “Women are at the forefront of the struggle for human rights and dignity,” she added. “Our sacrifice has been welcomed, but we need to be at the table when it is time to take decisions”.