Amid UN-brokered peace talks in Geneva, a women-led campaign initiated from the remote areas of West Kordofan State, Sudan. This initiative, supported by the USAID-funded Toward Enduring Peace in Sudan (TEPS) in partnership with the local Environment and Rural Women's Development (ERD) organization, saw women from different communities rise to lead anti-war efforts. Their urgent call was clear: an immediate ceasefire between the warring Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudan Armed Forces (SAF). The conflict, which began in April 2023, has claimed 19,000 lives, displaced 10.7 million people, and left half the population facing severe hunger, with nearly a million at risk of famine.
This story revolves around vibrant youth centers in the Debab and Muglad communities of West Kordofan, established by USAID in 2011. These community-owned hubs have become beacons of hope and empowerment, particularly for women eager to make a difference. Around 200 women, inspired to reclaim their rights and empower their communities, participated in a training program designed to equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to lead effective anti-war campaigns.
The training focused on understanding and countering hate speech, including recognizing harmful words and stereotypes, and organizing impactful, women-led anti-war initiatives. These participants, coming from various localities, were provided with the tools needed to champion peace and advocate for their rights. Among them were young women, university graduates originally from Muglad who had fled the conflict in Khartoum. Their presence enriched the discussions and broadened the perspectives of local participants.
The training seminar also addressed interconnected issues such as gender-based violence, female genital mutilation, the risks of harassment, and methods to minimize these dangers, both in wartime and beyond.
Upon completing the workshop, these women returned to their communities armed with new skills and a renewed sense of purpose. They organized anti-war campaigns, utilized tailored messaging to spread the message of peace, and conducted civic education activities. Women participants who were teachers began discussing the importance of women’s participation in their communities among their network, while traditional women leaders advocated for peace and gender rights by engaging with other women within their tribes. As part of their anti-war efforts, these women also held a silent protest in support of the Geneva peace negotiations, demanding an immediate ceasefire and urging the warring parties to prioritize the needs of the Sudanese people.
Encouraged by their successes, these women continue to lead civic education initiatives, addressing sensitive issues and engaging with all stakeholders. Their ongoing efforts aim to intensify anti-war activities and promote women's development in Muglad and North Abyei Area locality of West Kordofan State, Sudan.
USAID’s Toward Enduring Peace in Sudan (TEPS), implemented by DT Global, is a $71.3 million program that runs from September 2014 – September 2025. TEPS increases Sudanese capacity to address the causes and consequences of conflict, violence, and instability. The project adopts a flexible and adaptive approach to changing conditions and priorities, focused on achieving quick impact while also creating enabling conditions for enduring peace and sustainable development.
