CSM-STAND partners create safe spaces for women and girls amid conflict in Sudan

In Sudan, where violence and conflict have persisted for years, citizens face many pressing challenges, especially women and girls. The SIHA Network, a regional civil society network and partner in the Pact-led CSM-STAND project, focuses on amplifying local solutions to address the impact of war on Sudanese communities, especially displaced people and women and girls, who face unique challenges during times of crisis. Here, we share the stories of two women supported by SIHA who are making a difference in the fight against gender-based violence and inequality in Sudan.

Amina
Amina had arrived in Kassala as part of a large wave of displacement, and she felt isolated and lonely. Initially, she thought the sessions in a local "safe space" were just empty talk, as she described them. However, after hearing positive feedback from other women in her community, she attended, hoping to find solace and connection. The Strengthening Hope, Empowerment, and Resilience (SHARE) project launched in Kassala, where a safe space was built for women and girls of various backgrounds. The space was specifically chosen as the largest in the area and was surrounded by many small schools teeming with displaced women, making it an ideal rallying point.

Sessions began to be held regularly in this safe space and covered topics such as combating violence against women, psychological healing, resilience and adaptation, sexual and psychological health and legal awareness. Initially, Amina thought that these sessions could have been more worthwhile. People need humanitarian support like food and medications. According to her, psychosocial support sessions were not a priority. Over time, Amina began participating in discussions, expressing her opinions more clearly, and learning how to manage her challenges. What started as "empty talk" for her became a source of inspiration and motivation. Amina was particularly interested during the sessions on gender-based violence (GBV). She began inviting more girls and women to attend. She started thinking that it is essential to distribute aid and that this kind of knowledge can be important and protect women and girls. 

Not only did Amina have a positive influence on other women and girls, but she has also begun to pass on knowledge to other women. After the project ended, Amina started gathering women from other schools who still needed to have the opportunity to attend the sessions. She would re-explain the concepts and lessons she had learned and help them use this knowledge daily.

"I was initially like any other person, thinking that this talk would not change the dire situation we needed, but with time, I began to see the difference in my life and the lives of my sisters; I began to feel that I am part of society, and I have a role in change," Amina says.

The benefits were not limited to the women who attended the sessions and also extended to the community. Thanks to this safe space and opportunity, Amina herself became an example of change, learning how engagement and knowledge can transform the lives of individuals and communities.

Today, Amina has become a prominent supporter of the SIHA initiative in Kassala and this school. She continues to bring together women from different centers and share knowledge on combating GBV. She is no longer just a displaced woman looking for a safe place but a promoter of women's empowerment and knowledge transfer.

Nour
I am an East Nile Emergency Room member in Sudan. I coordinate the Women’s Office and oversee membership affairs. The project led by SIHA, supported by Pact through CSM-STAND, has been transformative on both a personal and community level, impacting our chamber's operations and building support for women in crisis-stricken areas.

One of the project's major successes was providing psychological support to women across different regions and distributing essential items, including sanitary pads and personal hygiene supplies. These efforts were instrumental in building grassroots coordination with local communities and fostering the emergence of new actors in volunteer work. Despite limited resources, these new actors exhibited exceptional coordination and dedication.

The project’s impact extended further, forming several women’s base rooms affiliated with the Women’s Office. Across 16 administrative units, we established nine distinct women’s offices, each comprised of five volunteers committed to supporting their local units. These volunteers provided psychological support, organized support sessions, distributed “dignity bags” and created safe spaces for women in conflict zones. These safe spaces became vital sanctuaries, offering women security and contributing to community peacebuilding and social cohesion.

The project also facilitated the activation of two cultural libraries—the Luqman Library in Emtedad, Bahri, and the Golden Generation Library in Hajj Youssef. These libraries became hubs for training sessions focused on protection and psychological support, further extending the reach and impact of our efforts. At least 150 women participated in these sessions, with sanitary pads distributed as a small but meaningful gesture of solidarity and support.

The work done by the East Nile Emergency Room fosters safe environments, promoting resilience and building the well-being of women who face the multifaceted challenges of conflict and gender-based violence. By creating these support systems and empowering women through psychological aid, training and resource distribution, SIHA contributes to a broader movement to combat GBV and support survivors.

Personally, this initiative has strengthened my administrative skills, improved my communication abilities and enabled me to build robust networks among grassroots women’s groups. These networks are self-organized and pivotal in delivering humanitarian aid directly to those in need. The collective efforts of these women from diverse backgrounds have nurtured a spirit of collaboration and mutual support, which has the potential to curb hate speech and promote acceptance of differences, contributing to peacebuilding.

This journey has demonstrated that even in challenging times, women can unite, support one another and lay the groundwork for lasting peace and resilience within their communities.