Why is a Women’s Center needed? Epidemic sexual violence against Darfuri women and girls has created one of the most serious human rights and women’s health crises in the world today.
Reports from many sources indicate tens of thousands of victims.
Survivors endure physical injuries, unwanted pregnancies, miscarriages and other reproductive complications, psychological illness, ostracism by their husbands and families, and accusations of adultery.
An estimated 85% of Darfur women have been subjected to Female Genital Cutting, making them more vulnerable to injury and sexually transmitted diseases from sexual assault.
Most victims suffer the debilitating effects of sexual violence in silence and isolation.
Gathering firewood exposes women to risk of rape
What is the Women’s Center? The Darfur Women's Center is a secure place for women to gather for a variety of supportive services. The guiding principle of the Center is to equip Darfuri women with the resources to recover from sexual trauma.
The Center integrates psychological, social, educational, and income-generation services including:
Counseling in the context of group activities;
Basic reproductive health care;
Facilitation of micro-enterprises to ensure continuing income for women supporting households;
Training in literacy, vocational skills, civil and human rights.
Where is the Women’s Center? The pilot Women's Center is located in Kassab IDP camp near Kutum, North Darfur.
How is the Center’s work progressing? The Sudanese government’s denial of the rape epidemic has resulted in ongoing harassment of organizations attempting to provide services to survivors. Consequently, the Center’s development has proceeded in slow, carefully planned phases.
Phase 1 The Basket Weavers’ Cooperative - launched September 2007
Kassab camp women weaving baskets.
To assist women in generating income for their households, DPDO has fostered the formation of a group of skilled basket weavers. Their baskets are of a traditional design used to keep meals warm. Forty women currently participate. Recruitment of additional weavers is ongoing; steady production will ensure dependable income for the women.
DPDO is partnering with The Amber Chand Collection, a retail enterprise that supports craftswomen living in the shadows of war, genocide and civil strife , to market the baskets in the United States. The Darfur Basket of Strength highlights the resilience and strength of women living in an extremely challenging environment; it is a symbol of each woman's hopes and dreams for a secure future. Baskets can be purchased from The Amber Chand Collection at www.AmberChand.com or by calling 1-800-979-0108.
Phase 2 A Place for Women Only -- April 2008 DPDO has been granted a site in Kassab Camp for the Center. Two tents have been erected; one to house the weaver’s workspace for training, and the second for a clinic.
Phase 3 Health Care July – August 2008 DPDO will equip the clinic with necessary supplies and medicine.
Two physicians will make scheduled site visits to provide care to women with rape-related medical problems.
A social worker will visit the Center on a rotating basis to work with the women on psychological recovery. They may work with women individually or in the context of their group work environment.
Phase 4 Training - August - December 2008
Training in literacy, first aid, business skills, civil and human rights, and other subjects of interest to the women will be held on a regular schedule at the Center. Additionally, there will be training in trauma intervention. This element of the program helps to ensure the continuation of services after the pilot period, and equips women to replicate the center in other localities.
Where is the Women’s Center?
To assist women in generating income for their households, DPDO has fostered the formation of a group of skilled basket weavers. Their baskets are of a traditional design used to keep meals warm. Forty women currently participate. Recruitment of additional weavers is ongoing; steady production will ensure dependable income for the women.
DPDO is partnering with The Amber Chand Collection, a retail enterprise that supports craftswomen living in the shadows of war, genocide and civil strife , to market the baskets in the United States. The Darfur Basket of Strength highlights the resilience and strength of women living in an extremely challenging environment; it is a symbol of each woman's hopes and dreams for a secure future. 