Sudanese women have long been at the forefront of political and social change in the country. Throughout Sudan’s history, women have played pivotal roles as leaders, activists and change-makers, challenging the status quo and pushing for greater equality and representation.
In recent years, Sudanese women have continued this proud tradition, becoming increasingly visible and vocal in the political sphere. From participating in nationwide protests to running for elected office, women are making their voices heard and demanding a seat at the decision-making table.
Despite the many obstacles they face, including deep-rooted patriarchal attitudes and systemic discrimination, Sudanese women are forging a new path in politics. They are running for parliament, serving as ministers and advisors, and advocating for policies that address the unique needs and experiences of women.
This growing political participation is not just about gaining power for power’s sake. Sudanese women are using their platforms to champion crucial issues like women’s rights, economic empowerment, and social justice. They are working tirelessly to transform the country’s political landscape and ensure that the perspectives and priorities of women are fully integrated into the policymaking process.
As Sudanese women continue to shatter glass ceilings and challenge entrenched gender norms, they are inspiring a new generation of female leaders and activists. Their courage, resilience and unwavering commitment to creating a more equitable Sudan is a testament to the transformative potential of women’s political engagement.
Looking ahead, it is clear that the increasing political mobilization of Sudanese women will be a driving force for positive change in the country. By amplifying their voices and asserting their rightful place in the political sphere, these trailblazing women are paving the way for a more inclusive and representative democracy in Sudan.
The Sudanese Woman has formed a fundamental core in the making of her existence and the progress of her journey for centuries before history. From Amanirenas, who ruled the Kingdom of Kush from 40 BC-10 AD, to Mahira bint Aboud, Rahabah al-Kanani, and others who contributed to the military and political work during the Mahdist Revolution in 1885, to the pioneers of the national movement in the last century, and up to the current contributions and advocacy for women’s rights.
When the ancient Sudanese society knew agriculture, it made its connection with the Mother Goddess, whom the society at the time considered to be part of nature, and thus she was sanctified. The ancient Sudanese kingdoms, such as the ancient Kingdom of Kush (725-591 BC), accorded the mother a sacred and special status, reflecting the role and position of women, which was no less than that of the ruling man. The kingdom had stipulated that the king’s mother play a fundamental role in governing the country, and if the Queen Mother or “Kandake” (meaning the Great Mother) died, another woman from the royal family would be chosen to replace her, which explains the important role that women played in social, religious, and political life.
Despite the prominent role of the Sudanese woman in public life since prehistoric times, the status of women subsequently declined, especially after the establishment of the Funj state in 1505, which was paradoxically the first Arab-Islamic state to arise in the lands of Sudan after the spread of Islam and the Arabic language. The social system of that Islamic state was characterized by semi-feudal features that confined women to two spheres: either as a wife whose primary duty was to sexually serve her husband and develop her physical capabilities to satisfy him and accept his numerous desires, or as a slave to be bought and sold.
The political awareness of the Sudanese woman started early, as women participated in parliament, and Fatima Ahmed Ibrahim was the first woman to enter parliament in 1964 after the October Popular Revolution that overthrew the rule of General Ibrahim Abboud. There were also women ministers in the 1970s, and the first female judge was appointed in 1969.
The Sudanese woman has broken the shackles of illiteracy, ignorance, superstition, and outdated customs and traditions for more than half a century, and has reached her goals in various fields. She has advanced in occupying public and leadership positions in all areas of work, proving her competence within the framework of laws, constitutions, and labor legislation that equalize her with men without discrimination, starting from the 1973 Constitution, passing through the Transitional Constitution of 1985, and the Social Insurance Law of 1990. Despite the fairness of the constitutions and laws in their original texts, the National Salvation government has made amendments to them to entrench the exclusion of women from their positions, and thus this era emerged in which the voice of the Sudanese woman has diminished, her pioneering role and role have regressed, and her suffering has increased during the years of National Salvation rule in the last quarter of the century.
Despite the entrenchment of the gains of the Sudanese woman, her current situation faces a decline through patterns of behavior that seek to exclude women from the circle of work in state institutions and distribute opportunities in these institutions according to political loyalty and affiliation with the ruling party. But if the mountains were softened, the determination of Sudanese women, who are still continuing their activities to preserve their gains and steadily advance towards contributing to the consolidation of the foundations of civil society institutions and human rights concepts, would not be softened. The Sudanese woman preceded some of her Arab counterparts in political participation, starting from the ancient kingdoms, passing through the Mahdist Revolution of 1885 and the National Movement of 1924, then her participation in the independence of her country in 1956, and her participation in the October 1964 and April 1985 uprisings. The Sudanese woman has obtained a set of gains, which is the right to vote and be elected according to the provisions of the Constitution, but her current presence in Parliament, despite its density, is a formal presence that does not contribute to decision-making and does not take it. Looking at the history of the participation of the Sudanese woman in political life, the picture may be somewhat inverted.
After the Sudanese woman has obtained her full rights and has been organized for generations in acquiring the knowledge and skills that prepared her to play her human role as a citizen with rights and duties, she now discovers that these rights have been taken from her, to start from scratch, and the time difference between what she has achieved since the first national era and what she is now trying to obtain is vast.
In light of the turbulent political situation in Sudan currently due to the armed conflicts, Sudanese women face major challenges in preserving their gains and enhancing their role in society. Despite the fact that the constitutions and laws have granted them equal rights with men, political and social practices still marginalize women’s participation in decision-making. In the midst of these volatile circumstances, Sudanese women are required to redouble their efforts to defend their rights and contribute to the restoration of peace and support the path of democratic transition. One of the ways to achieve this is to empower women politically and economically and strengthen their role as a key player in building civil society institutions. The restoration and development of the status of Sudanese women is of utmost importance to rebuild Sudan on the foundations of justice, equality, and civil peace in this critical stage of its history.
