This article was published for the first time on the symposium on Women orgnised by Darb al intifada
Women and politics in the Sudan
Comments by : MOHAMED ELGADI, MAGDOLEEN ABDEL HALIM, DR. NAHID TOUBIA, Dr.SOUAD ALI and T.K
COMMENTS BY MOHAMED ELGADI:
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Dear Women Symposium facilitator(s),
With the deadline for comments already set for 11/16/98, I found it very difficult to summarize my comments on all 20 very strong articles written on the last few weeks. So, I want to concentrate on one article, which is Dr. Nahid Toubia's. This is because I do understand very clearly her painful experience with the so called "Progressive Movements of Sudan".
In 1972, I, among others voted against granting Nahid Toubia the membership of the Democratic Front (DF) of students in Cairo, which was the major left organization of Sudanese student. We could not tolerate an individual to be more progressive than the DF, and take our own slogans to it's far limits without fear of hurting the feelings of conservative groups in the community.
It took more than a decade for me and vast majority among DF to adopt what Nahid had advocated earlier. However, It was only the Left (Communists, and Democrats) who consistently recognized, advocated and fought for women rights, sometimes single-handed.
I understand quite well, the bitterness of her words, yet I hope the continues her critique for the agenda of Women, especially within the progressive movement in Sudan. I totally agree with Nahid's invitation to open the discussion to "all women issues" and not only their representation in the NDA.
It is the time to open the ugly file of women in patriarchal Islamic society, and face the clear texts of Koran which all Moslem fundamentalists and non fundamentalists depend on. In this regard I invite you to discuss the provocative thoughts of Lawyer: Taha Ibrahim Gerbou'a, in his Book of 1986. He argued that Islam and Sharia as it was implemented 1400 years ago, can not solve our current legislation problems and needs.
Thanks Nahid and all other participants
Mohamed Elgadi
COMMENTS BY MAGDOLEEN ABDELHALIM:
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Dear Coordinator, participants and readers,
First, I want to commend all of those who wrote, for taking the time to participate in this vital forum. I know it is not easy in this tough life of exiles, since we all get carried away in our daily routine and challenges.
I enjoyed all the discussion especially the new/fresh blood and views. I think they are truly enriching. While I agree with most of the constructive criticism against the DNA, I don't think the idea of dismantling the NDA and building a new body is the right cure for the NDA's shortcomings if not failures.
To explain myself better, I think we need to build a broader pressure group from the women organizations, the marginalized groups/regions and the new forces to apply pressure on the NDA and give'em continuous headache to take us seriously.
I think two main parties, unfortunately, enjoy a sizable support in Sudan which we can't ignore or write off just like that. On the other hand, I think the new forces and women groups COULD DO MORE THAN WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW in the political arena.
Most of those women groups were not effective enough in the past. I believe that establishing a platform from all those groups to discuss joint issues of interest and strategies is a valid and welcomed call. I just don't want us all to fall in the trap of killing the patient (NDA) to cure the illness. I believe we can build and start moving from what we gained and what we learnt.
Some groups MAY even be motivated by the fact that they were not officially part of the NDA. To those I say: believe me, you did not miss much! The show is still going on and it is had taken us to no where so far! However, together we can make it possbile and more exciting and fulfilling.
On the other hand, NDA should open its doors to every one who is keen about Sudan and democracy. It should be more democratic in its own structure, rules, and practices. Some of the faces who have been there for ever, should definitely step down to allow for new leadership and ideas.
Being at the top of the NDA is not meant to be a nominal figure, but it is a democratic, aggressive, creative and dedicated daily challenge and mission. They is how we want our leaders to be !
Thank you
Magdoleen
MORE COMMENTS BY DR. NAHID TOUBIA:
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Dear Darb Alintifada,
I am truly heartened by the clearly small be definitive new direction this debate is going. Ms Nazik's contribution confirms the suspicion of many that there are a larger number of Sudanese women who are capable of articulating a fresh, practical and forward looking point of view. I have spoken to several women and encouraged them to sign on to this symposium so that we can hear more voices. My only concern is that many would have lost the opportunity to read what has already been said.
Another concern is that since we do not know who the individuals who write are and where to find them the potential for networking for the next steps would be lost.
Can Darb Alintifada do something about these two issues?
Nahid
COMMENTS BY SOUAD ALI:
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Dear Darb Al-Intifadha Co-ordinator:
Salaam and thank you for these forwards. I would like to seize this opportunity to thank you for inviting me to contribute my opinion to your symposium. I've a brief comment on the following paragraph of this recent document that you have forwarded to the group that I'd like to contribute to your debate; the document states that:
"Finally, should another women's organization claim representation in the NDA, it has to provide evidence to support the struggles of that organization and that it did raise the issue of the women's representation in the NDA inside or outside the country"
With all due respect, but does the Sudanese Women's Union (SWU) represent ALL Sudanese women? We do know that there are other women's organizations that have recently emerged such as the Sudanese Women's Forum (SWF) in Cairo in which women from across Sudanese political parties are represented, an organization of which Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim herself is a member, and that has nominated Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim for the NDA membership according to one document you have published earlier. There is also the Sudanese Women's Association (al-Tajammu' al-Nissai' al-Sudani) operating from inside the country, an association that also includes women from all political parties and that led the famous march to the United Nations office in Khartoum in December of 1997 protesting the forcible conscription of students and youngsters, as well as other atrocities committed against Sudanese women, mothers and people at large. There is also the Sudanese Women's Alliance, SAF's women's branch, etc. Given the nature of their political activities, it is obvious that any of these women's organizations has an equal right, as the SWU does, to be represented in the NDA that is not a monopoly of a particular party or a particular women's organization, as I am sure you agree.
Hence, reading through the tone of "The Committee Against Violation of Students and Women's Rights," in the paragraph above, I hope that the NDA will not commit yet, another mistake by adopting one group's opinion to restrict the membership of those other women's organizations mentioned above. And, again, with all due respect to the SWU, I hope you agree with me that they don't have the right to preside over other women's organizations or dictate their conditions of such representation in the National Democratic Alliance, that belongs to all women and not only the members of the SWU. Another question that I have been pondering is that: is "The Committee Against Violation of Students and Women's Rights" an independent neutral organization? If so, why do they favor the SWU over other women's organizations such as the ones mentioned above?
Even though this is just a quick comment, yet I do believe that it contains some serious concern among many Sudanese women who are not members of the SWU that, in turn, does not necessarily represent the majority of Sudanese women.
Thank you very much indeed, once again, for inviting me to contribute my opinion; with best regards.
Souad Ali
COMMENTS by T.K on NADA MUSTAFA CONTRIBUTION
I read you email, very interesting indeed, can pass a comment.
I don’t think its appropriate the assumption that Sudanese women have the same interest, simply because Sudan is a vast country, with different cultures and backgrounds.
Sudanese women can learn from other experiences, but lets be honest here, how can they improve learn from these experiences since they are suppressed by the Sudanese Macho man, they are always perceived as the weak sex.Those women, who have the chance to mingle and learn from other women in other parts of the world, those always distance themselves from the normal housewife, they don’t make any efforts to educate or assist.
As a priority I think we need to understand each other, improve the relation between us i.e. different tribes, race, religions and so on.
This is my personal opinion.
thank you.
"T. K." <lonex@hotmail.com>