On the 10th of April, the JASON Institute Activities Committee organised a panel discussion at Grand Café Utopie about the gendered impact of war in Sudan, in the context of the 25th year existence of UN Security Council Resolution 1325. Moderated by Jela Kayany, the event brought together experts Mekka Abdelgabar and Karin de Jonge to shed light on the overlooked but vital role of women in peacebuilding.
Mekka Abdelgabar highlighted the importance of the Sudanese diaspora in supporting women affected by the war, both through financial assistance and advocacy. She also discussed the double-edged nature of media: while it can amplify activists’ voices and mobilise support, it is also exploited as a propaganda tool. Additionally, she mentioned the critical role displaced women play in holding communities together — often starting from scratch to provide education, food, and psychological support in the absence of state infrastructure. Mekka emphasized that women are not just victims of war but active agents of survival and continuity, creating informal schools, leading local initiatives, and fostering resilience in the face of repeated displacement and violence.
Karin de Jonge focused on UNSCR 1325, underscoring the need for gender-inclusive peace processes. She noted that while men at negotiation tables often prioritise power and resource distribution, women bring attention to essential social concerns like education, children’s health, and humanitarian needs — reflecting their central roles in holding communities together during conflict. This is one of the reasons why including women in peace processes ensures long-lasting peace agreements. Karin also stressed the importance of involving women earlier in humanitarian response efforts, as they are best positioned to identify where aid is most urgently needed. She further emphasized the importance of trusting local communities to take the lead in humanitarian efforts, arguing that aid should not come with burdensome reporting expectations or rigid frameworks, but instead be designed to empower grassroots responders — those already on the frontlines and best equipped to meet their communities’ needs.
The event also presented the experiences of women in Sudan in their own words, by displaying some of their testimonies on a poster at the venue. Shared with the permission from the Women’s Refugee Commission, these powerful quotes highlighted how women, despite famine, displacement, and war, continue to care for their communities — rebuilding from scratch, creating informal schools, sharing food, and offering psychological support. Their words served as a moving reminder that even in the absence of formal infrastructure, women are often the backbone of survival and resilience. Moreover, during the panel discussion, photographs taken by Fayiz Abubakr were displayed, depicting the ongoing devastation caused by the conflict in Sudan. The images offered a powerful insight into the current situation in displacement camps, urban areas, and rural villages across the country.
Overall, the event highlighted the importance of the role of women in peacekeeping, the lack of access of women to leadership roles in Sudan, and the resilience of women in Sudan to keep their community alive. While progress has been made since the adoption of UNSCR 1325, the panel also acknowledged that there is still a long way to go. In a shifting geopolitical climate where humanitarian aid is increasingly under strain, continued commitment to inclusive peacebuilding is incredibly important.