Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network

🌐 NEW BLOG LAUNCH ALERT - Sudanese Women’s Stories: From War to Resistance In the face of war, women and girls endure unimaginable atrocities—their bodies are used as weapons of war through systematic violence and are subjected to other forms of violations like forced disappearances as well as forced marriages, pregnancies, and sterilization. Yet, they refuse to be silenced or labeled as mere victims. Amidst chaos and destruction, they take on vital roles to ensure their families’ survival, rise as leaders in peaceful resistance, and become decision-makers, playing instrumental roles in humanitarian efforts, peace negotiations, and post-conflict reconstruction. In Sudan, stories like Dr. Safa Ali’s exemplify this resilience. Despite heavy shelling in Al Fasher, Dr. Ali stayed at her post, evacuating pregnant women and volunteer staff to safety. Unfortunately, such contributions are often unheard, and overlooked in mainstream narratives, leaving the broader story of the fight for justice and peace incomplete. That’s why SIHA Network is proud to launch the "SUDANESE WOMEN’S STORIES: FROM WAR TO RESISTANCE BLOG," an online platform aimed at amplifying the voices of women and girls affected by war. Through this blog, we’ll also highlight the violence Sudanese women endure while celebrating their strength and resistance. Our first story shares Siham Ishaq Hassan’s heartbreaking search for her daughter, who went missing amidst Sudan’s ongoing conflict—a tale that reflects the anguish and courage of countless families. 📖 Read Siham's full story here: https://lnkd.in/dFu32xfJ 💡Stay tuned for more inspiring stories: https://lnkd.in/dKfGk-kv Read 📖 + Like ❤️ + Share 🔄 #WomenInConflict #YesTo1325 #KeepEyesOnSudan

#GratitudePost 🎉 Today, we took a moment to celebrate our Regional Director, Hala Al-Karib for her outstanding leadership. Hala - your stewardship to SIHA Network staff and dedication to women's rights in the Horn of Africa has been nothing short of inspiring 🌸 We are honored to be part of this journey with you and to present you with this Award as a small token of our appreciation. Thank you for being the leader, mentor, and powerhouse that you are 💖 #WomenInLeadership

🎉 At SIHA Network, we’re wrapping up the #16DaysOfActivism2024 on a high note as our Ethiopia Programme Coordinator, Zemdena Abebe, and Board Advisor for Somalia, Fadwo Hassan Jimale were recently named among Africa’s Top 100 Most Influential Women. Zemdena was recognized for her outstanding contributions to movement building and collective action for gender justice in Ethiopia. Fadwo was honored for over a decade of work in gender mainstreaming and social protection, including her support for Gender Based Violence survivors in case management, emergency response, and counseling. Her efforts have amplified the voices of women and girls across Somalia on national and regional platforms. We celebrate Zemdena and Fadwo for being expectional #AfricanWomenLeaders, and reaffirm our commitment to the fight for justice, peace, and women’s rights across the Greater Hon of Africa region.

In Loving Memory of Saeeda Yousif Tia SIHA Network deeply mourns the loss of Saeeda Yousif Tia, a remarkable Sudanese women’s rights activist and President of the Self-Help Association, who passed away in El-Gadarif due to complications of hypoglycemia. Saeeda was a dedicated advocate for marginalized women and grassroots communities, particularly on the outskirts of Khartoum, who championed civil, political, economic, and social rights based on equity and justice. Her efforts to empower indigenous women, promote gender equality, and create economic opportunities have left a lasting legacy that will continue to inspire the communities she transformed and the women she empowered. SIHA stands in solidarity with her family, friends, and the women’s rights movement during this time of loss. Saeeda’s contributions to justice and equality will never be forgotten. May she rest in eternal peace.

🌐إطلاق مدوّنة جديدة - قصص النساء السودانيات: من الحرب إلى الصمود ‏في مواجهة الحرب تعاني النساء والفتيات من فظائع لا يمكن تصوّرها، فتُستخدم أجسادهنّ بشكلٍ منهجيّ في النزاعات، ويصبح العنف الجنسي أداةً للحرب. كما يتعرّضن لشتّى أشكال العنف الأخرى كالقتل، والاختفاء القسري، والزواج القسري، والحمل الإجباري. ‏ومع ذلك، يرفضن أن يتمّ إسكاتهنّ، أو أن ينظر إليهنّ كضحايا فحسب. وسط الفوضى والدمار، تتولى النساء أدوارًا حيوية لضمان نجاةِ أسرهنّ. كما ينهضن كقائدات في المقاومة السلمية وصانعات قرار، عبر مشاركتهنّ في جهود العون الإنساني، ومفاوضات السلام، وإعادة الإعمار بعد النزاعات. ‏في ⁧‫#السودان‬⁩، تُجسّد قصص مثل قصة د.صفاء علي هذا الصمود. فبالرغم من القصف العنيف في الفاشر، رفضت المغادرة، وقامت بإجلاء النساء الحوامل والفرق التطوعية إلى مناطق آمنة. ‏للأسف، تبقى مساهمات النساء غالبًا غير مسموعة وغائبة عن السرديات السائدة، مما يجعل قصة النضال من أجل العدالة والسلام غير مكتملة. ‏استجابةً لذلك، تفتخر شبكة صيحة بإطلاق مدونة "قصص النساء السودانيات: من الحرب إلى الصمود"، وهي منصة مخصصة لتسليط الضوء على قصص النساء والفتيات المتأثّرات بالحرب. ‏من خلال هذه المدوّنة، سنبرز أيضًا العنف الذي تواجهه النساء السودانيات، بينما نحتفي بقوّتهن وصمودهنّ. ‏قصّتنا الأولى تروي رحلة البحث المؤلم لسهام إسحاق حسن عن ابنتها رقيّة التي فُقدت في الحرب، قصّة تعكس معاناة وصمود العديد من العائلات في السودان. ‏القراءة 📖 الإعجاب ❤️ والمشاركة 🔁 تساهم في تسليط الضوء على قصة سهام: ⁦‪https://lnkd.in/e4ZbWaRz ‏💡ترقّبوا/ن المزيد من القصص الملهمة: ⁦‪https://lnkd.in/e8UGn3J7 ‏⁦‪#WomenInConflict‬⁩ ⁦‪#YesTo1325‬⁩ ⁦‪#KeepEyesOnSudan‬⁩

📣 Somaliland’s 2024 Presidential Elections: Is Gender Equality Possible? The recent presidential election in Somaliland has marked a significant victory for democracy and gender equity. Opposition leader Abdirahman Mohamed of the Waddani Party achieved a remarkable win with 64% of the vote, signaling a hopeful future for the nation.  This milestone signifies more than just a leadership change – it highlights women's essential role in influencing the election’s results. Women’s rights movements actively campaigned, presenting manifestos that demanded gender inclusion, justice, and equal political representation. Their hard work has been rewarded, with the new administration pledging to uphold these commitments. While this achievement is particularly remarkable as it brings about the first-ever commitments from political leaders concerning gender inclusion, challenges persist. Issues such as societal norms, gaps in the legal framework, and underrepresentation in leadership positions require prompt attention.  Looking ahead, the new administration must implement laws that protect women’s rights, ensure the appointment of women to influential positions, and work to pulldown harmful stereotypes. A draft gender policy is pending approval to strengthen these advancements. In this article, we propose how Somaliland’s peaceful electoral transition could pave the way for transformative gender equality. Read: https://lnkd.in/dtb55zNf #SomalilandElections #GenderEquality #WomenInLeadership #DemocracyInAfrica #WomensRights TrustAfrica UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken African Women's Development Fund (AWDF) Open Society Foundations Malala Fund International IDEA Tides Urgent Action Fund-Africa GlobalGiving Pax Christi Fund for Peace BARWAAQO BVO

🏆 Congratulations to our Regional Director, Hala Al-Karib, on being recognized by BBC as one of the 100 inspiring and influential women of 2024. As a passionate women's human rights activist, Hala has dedicated her life to amplifying the voices of women and girls affected by gender based violence, particularly in the Greater Horn of Africa region. Additionally, her tireless advocacy for victims and survivors of conflict related sexual violence, coupled with her writing, has brought global attention to the suffering of women in conflict zones. This well-deserved recognition highlights her invaluable contribution to the ongoing fight for gender justice, peace, and women's rights. To learn more about #BBC100Women, visit this link: https://lnkd.in/ea4x_Avv

🏆 The SIHA Network Annual Women Human Rights Defenders Awards are back, and this time, we’re shining the spotlight on South Sudan! The awards aim to recognize individuals and organizations that have tirelessly worked to combat gender based violence, champion women’s leadership, promote participation in decision making, and empower women economically in challenging environments. If you know an organization or someone who has made a lasting impact on women’s rights in South Sudan, now is the perfect time to honor their incredible work 🌟 🗓️ Nomination Deadline - December 16th, 2024 💶 Award - 2,000 euros for winning individuals or organizations 🔍 Eligibility - Nominees should have worked on women’s issues in South Sudan, with measurable impact in promoting gender equality and women’s rights. 📝 How to Nominate - Fill in the nomination form here: https://lnkd.in/d4dASY5q For more information, please contact: 📧 flavia@sihanet.org #WomenHumanRightsDefenders #SouthSudan

✨ Today is #GivingTuesday – Let’s Make It Count! As the world comes together to give, it’s crucial to remember that women and girls in Sudan are enduring the unimaginable hardships of war. Menstrual hygiene products, a basic necessity, remain scarce, exposing women and girls to heightened risks and increasing their vulnerability to infections, which can become life-threatening due to the limited access to clean water and medical services. This #GivingTuesday, you can make a real difference by supporting our #PadsForPeace campaign and helping restore dignity and hope for women and girls in Sudan. 📲 Donate now by scanning the QR code on the poster or using the links below: 🌍 GlobalGiving: https://lnkd.in/g44c2j-d 💳 Pay Bills: paybills.ug/index.php/siha Your contribution will provide critical support to women and girls in Sudan, helping them reclaim their dignity in the face of unimaginable adversity. 🙏 Like, share, and #KeepEyesOnSudan because together, we can bring hope where it’s needed most. ✨ اليوم العالمي للعطاء #GivingTuesday – لنكن جزءاً من التغيير! بينما يحتفي العالم بروح العطاء، هناك نساء وفتيات في السودان يواجهن معاناة الحرب وآثارها القاسية. منتجات الدورة الشهرية، التي تعد من أبسط الضروريات، أصبحت شحيحة، مما يعرض النساء والفتيات لمخاطر صحية خطيرة، من بينها الأمراض التي قد تهدد حياتهن بسبب صعوبة الحصول المياه النظيفة والوصول إلى الرعاية الطبية. اليوم، بإمكانكم/ن المساهمة في تخفيف هذه المعاناة من خلال دعم حملة #PadsForPeace التي تهدف إلى استعادة الأمل للنساء والفتيات في السودان. 📲 للمساهمة: 🌍 Global Giving: https://lnkd.in/g44c2j-d 💳 Pay Bills: paybills.ug/index.php/siha #GivingTuesday #PadsForPeace #16DaysOfActivism #NoExcuse

🚨 Join SIHA Network at the 23rd Session of the ICC Assembly of States Parties! Our Regional Director Hala Al-Karib will be speaking at a Side Event on Justice for Sudan’s Victims & Survivors: Mapping Accountability Pathways. Specifically, she will delve into a critical topic of "victim centered justice, focusing on the needs, interests, and demands of Sudanese victims in the quest for truth, justice, and reparations." 📅 Tomorrow, 3rd December 2024 🕰️ 18:15 – 19:45 CET | 20:15 – 21:45 EAT | 19:15 – 20:45 CAT 📍 Room Europe 1 & 2, World Forum - The Hague 🔊 Language availability: English & Arabic If you're attending #ASP23, be sure to join us! For more details about the event, please check out the poster below ⤵️ #KeepEyesOnSudan #16DaysOfActivism #StopTheViolence #NoExcuse #ActNow