Message for Special Envoy to Sudan: Remember Women and Girls

On March 18, President Barack Obama announced his appointment of a Special Envoy to Sudan, retired Air Force Major General Scott Gration. He did so saying, "Sudan is a priority for this administration, particularly at a time when it cries out for peace and for justice. The worsening humanitarian crisis there makes our task all the more urgent."

It is true that the people of Darfur are in crisis. But those who have so far survived the genocide and displacement from their homes now face another challenge, after 13 aid organizations were expelled by the Sudanese government in March. To date, 14,000 aid workers who were providing basic provisions to 4 million people, including 2.7 million in camps for internally displaced people, have been forced to leave the country. These aid workers were responsible for providing the infrastructure for water systems, health clinics, schools, housing for the displaced, and massive food-and-supply distribution. Without that lifeline, many more lives will be lost.

From the statements by both Gration and Obama, it is clear that they are well aware of this crisis and are working to ensure that aid agencies and other lifesaving infrastructures are put back in place.

While I am heartened by their words and while I believe that they are truly committed to finding a peaceful end to the crisis, I would ask them to ensure that their approach and their plans take into consideration the most vulnerable of those living in Darfur — namely women and girls.

We know that 2.7 million people live in camps for internally displaced people. What is not as well known is that there are some camps where women and children make up 80 percent of the population. And it is women who are threatened with rape and other forms of violence each time they leave their camps to find food, water, firewood, and other materials to nourish and support their families.

Although the first step, a step that Gration and Obama should be applauded for already taking, is to ask that aid workers be allowed to return, we need to think about the future of those living in Darfur and address all of their levels of vulnerability.

Aid organizations do provide food, shelter, water, and medical care, but they do not provide protection. We, at UUSC, believe it is imperative to find new and creative ways to protect civilians in Darfur — especially women and girls — from the violence that they face as they go about their daily lives.

As Gration works with Sudanese Ambassador Abdalmahmood Abdalhaleem for a solution to the crisis, unobstructed deployment of UNAMID peacekeeping forces, and a peaceful and just end to the crisis, I would ask him to remember:

Peace is essential to ending the genocide in Darfur. But there are realistic, simple measures we can take right now that can make a genuine difference in the safety of women and girls, who are most at risk. They cannot, and should not, wait until the end of the war. They need our help today. Please make their safety and security one of your top priorities.