Discuss

March 8, 2006

Ask Amnesty: Stop Violence Against Women in Darfur

Much of the violence perpetrated in the Darfur conflict has resulted in grave human rights violations against women. These violations have specifically targeted women and girls, and include abductions, rape and forced displacement. Girls as young as eight-years-old have been raped.

Please join us from 1:00-2:00 PM EST on March 8th, 2006 -- International Women?s Day -- for an online discussion with Rev. Gloria White-Hammond, M.D. on the state of women in Darfur. Rev. Dr. White-Hammond currently serves as the National Chairperson of the Million Voices for Darfur campaign and has made multiple trips to war-torn southern Sudan since 2001.

Learn more about the crisis in Darfur. »

Featured Guest: Gloria White-Hammond

From our featured guest: "I look forward to the discussion on March 8."

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Question Submitted by Amy:

If we are unable to travel, what can we do to help the women of Darfur?

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

Hi Amy. Great question. You can do lots.

1. become educated yourself and inform others in your friendship and kinship group.
2. make sure you create a forum to talk with your legislators about the issue. there will be a key issue re appropriations coming up which will require their support.
3. you can support the Million Voices for Darfur campaign with your postcard encouraging Pres Bush in his call for a multinational peacekeeping force.
4. come to the rally in DC on 4/30/06 at the Natl Mall

for starters!!!
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Question Submitted by Patricia Ross:

What can I do to make a difference, to aid or help?

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

It's also important to support the humanitarian groups working on the ground in Darfur. The workers are veritable angels in this ordeal. They work long and hard and w/o a whole lot of pay.
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Question Submitted by K.C.:

Dear Dr. White-Hammond, my question is fairly simple, what can concretely be done to stop and keep not only the women in Darfur, but all of the other third world countries from being forced into this kind of situation? Until the corrupt governments, ran by men, stop making money more important than human life, I don't see an end in sight! So with that said, what can be dangled in the faces of such tirants to make them co-operate in the 'Right to Life' campaign that everyone outside of these countries seems to be fighting, for 'their' people?

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

Hi K.C.-
Like you, I see this as an issue of violence against women. I identify rape in this war as a psycho-social, spiritual weapon of mass destruction designed not only to endanger women, but to undermine their communities for generations yet to come.

It is important for us to, especially as women, on this international day to understand that this is part of a culture that allows violence against women to operate with impunity. We need to care about the women in Darfur like we need to be concerned about victims of domestic violence in Massachusetts or wife-burnings in India.

I am working to mobilize women in particular to speak out not only in Darfur, but wherever women are being victimized.


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Question Submitted by Maddy:

Is there realistically any chance of the international community taking more notice of what has happened in Darfur? If so, how can we average citizens help?

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

I believe so. I believe we are making some movement even now as President Bush has committed to working for a multinational peacekeeping force.

Besides what other options are there, Maddy? We can either speak out and count as channels of justice, or remain silent and be rendered irrelevant.
That makes no sense to me!!
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Question Submitted by Theresa:

What is the immediate need or issue to be addressed to help the women and girls of Darfur? What can we do right now?

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

The most immediate need is to protect the women and girls most immediately. By raising awareness and speaking out, you put pressure on 'the powers that be' to work toward that end.
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Question Submitted by Chris Brunn:

What can we do at home, in the US, in Chicago, to help stop the violence against women in Darfur?

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

Hi Chris-
We realize that our advocacy cannot be confined to the US. For example, to get buy-in for a multinational peacekeeping force, will require international support. Therefore we are also working with advocates internationally. You can encourage your friends around the world to become engaged as well.
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Question Submitted by MAURICE:

Dear Dr. White-Hammond: Where are the rescued women and girls relocated? And when they are geographically re-situated and out of immediate harm's way, do they receive psychological counseling and all of the medical treatment they require? Thank you for your humanitarian efforts.

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

Hi Maurice-
Great question. That's the question that I went to Darfur to understand. Once they are in the camps, they are 'saf-er'...but still not wholly safe. Women continue to leave the camps to get fire wood and still risk being raped.

There are efforts to provide psych counseling--but not enough. It is very hard for humanitarian NGO's to get permission from the government of Sudan to bring in gender specialists to deal w/ these issues. And people who donate $ often want it to go to hard stuff--food, water, shelter, etc. It is harder for them to get funding for soft stuff.

Doctors Without Borders continues to provide excellent medical support.
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Question Submitted by Angela Arismendi-Pardi:

How can we do to stop violence against WOMEN in Dafur or any other part of the world? Do people in the world need education and right awarness? I feel frustrate, because I wante to do something efective. Thanks for your answer and I apologized for my bad English Grammar. Angela Arismendi-Pardi

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

Angela-
Your caring is the 1st critical place to start!

After working in Sudan, I realize that this is not a one woman job. It will take you and me and alllllll of our friends and colleagues working together. Like you, I sometimes feel frustrated, but especially on International Women's Day, I am reminded that I did not get to this station in life because I come from women who gave up! We are the descendants of mamas and great grandmas who refused to give up which is why we are here today. "It's hard to keep a good woman down!!!!"
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Question Submitted by Brenda:

What direct assistance can women living in the USA make toward your humanitarian efforts to improve the quality of life for women and their families reclaiming their life-space in Darfur?

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

Thank you, Brenda, for your heartfelt concern. I have identified some strategies in my previous response.

Another thought. While I was in Darfur I visited a school of midwifery that was started at the beginning of the war. The school was teaching 31 women who lived in an internally displaced persons camp how to deliver quality OB care. It is a portable skill that is needed now even in the midst of war, and will still be needed when the war is over. Mercy Corps, an NGO based in Portland, OR was helping to support the school.
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Question Submitted by Bernadette:

How can individuals intervene with the US government to stop the military in Darfur?

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

You should know where your congresspersons stand on this issue of Sudan advocacy. You can advocate for them to support key legislation such as the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act which is pending in the House of Representatives. The administration is requesting 400 million dollars in humanitarian aid and to support the African Union forces. Make sure your congress persons know you want them to respond positively to protect the people of Darfur.
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Question Submitted by Jessica:

I attend a high school that generally could care less about anything but sports. Clubs are put on the side and are rarely mentioned. How can I start a group to help people such as those in Sudan if no one really wants to help?

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

Start by being a club of one if you have to. Find a faculty person who 'gets it' to support you. Invite a speaker to come to raise awareness. Many students are involved with 2 student groups -- STAND and Genocide Intervention Network. You'll be able to identify other students of similar interest in your interest.

Don't give up, Jessica. You have a voice--Use It!!
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Question Submitted by Jacqueline:

How can I actively help these women and children? I would like to do more than just write letters to my representatives. Also, I can contribute only a little money right now. Is the ultimate goal to bring them here to the U.S. or to keep them safe in the Sudan? Sincerely, A Concerned Citizen of the World!

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

The ultimate goal is for them to have peace and justice in their own country. Jacqueline, don't assume that your little bit won't count for much. If we all add a drop, pretty soon we will fill the bucket.

You can also do more by coming to the Rally to End Genocide on 4/30/06 on the National Mall in DC.
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Question Submitted by Mike Elmendorf:

The big question is: How should/ how could Amnesty International and other human rights organizations create empathy over the plight of Africa and Africans? The film Hotel Rwanda showed the consequences of apathy. Apathy is worse than hate. How could empathy be created within the rest of the world for the women of Darfur?

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

Mike, as an African American, this has been a pressing question for me, as well. Obviously people should care because it is simply the morally right thing to do. But I understand the violence against women in Darfur is a symptom of greater sickness in the worldwide culture that allows violence against women to operate with impunity. Sometimes when people look at me like they can't understand why they should be bothered caring--I feel like saying, "but it's your mother, stupid. And your wife or your sister, and...perhaps even you!" That's why! It may be the woman in Darfur today, but it could me tomorrow!
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Question Submitted by Joe:

Why are people fighting in Darfur?

Gloria White-Hammond answers:

gotcha, Joe. I will preface by commenting that the causes are complex, complicated and confounding. They are political and tribal and agricultural/economical...and they go back over many years! HOWEVER in its simplest configuration the conflict pits Arab Muslims against African Muslims.
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