Special report on the impact of a future peace agreement on Sudan's refugees and displaced - III

WOMEN'S PREDICAMENT Despite the fact that women make up two-thirds of the general population in southern Sudan, and three-quarters in conflict areas like Bahr al-Ghazal, they suffer some of the poorest quality-of-life indices in the world. With an estimated 90 percent illiterate, low self-esteem and very little if any protection offered to them by the legal system, they have little hope of being treated fairly when they return home, say observers. "Let's have liberation first, and then worry about women's issues," is reportedly a common attitude among those in power, with some of the educated most vehemently opposing women's empowerment. "[Southern Sudanese] Women have literally no rights to land," Jennifer Nduku Kiiti, a consultant with UNICEF, told IRIN. "There are no laws in place giving them possession of anything. Customary law is relied on heavily that is very limited in terms of protecting women, very male-based," she said. Statutory law and customary law operate in parallel in southern Sudan, but there are huge problems in making judgments that go against customary law, which was made by men for men, said Kiiti. Compounding this, analysts point out, is the fact that the Sudanese environment is ripe for corruption given its shattered economy, lack of transparency, and a tradition of loyalty and obedience to patriarchal military commanders. What will happen when tens of thousands of widows descend into this environment to reclaim land and cattle may become one of the country’s future tragedies, they note. Many will have to choose between being "inherited" by their husband's clan - land is owned communally - or start a losing battle to regain their former wealth through the village courts. Many women who have gained a degree of autonomy living without their husbands for several years, or have been educated by NGOs in refugee camps, will find it difficult to revert back to the 'old way' of living. For those who refuse inheritance, the choices will be bleak. Many will be forced to gravitate towards towns and cities in search of work, with the inevitable exploitation that accompanies severe poverty. "They will become susceptible to sexual abuse, because they're trying to survive," says Kiiti. "Immediately it will make them vulnerable to exploitation by aid workers, nationals and internationals. They will be quite powerless," she says. "A lot of the aid workers will be Sudanese: it’s very easy to take advantage in your own community." CONCLUSION A peace deal between the government and the SPLM/A does not necessarily mean a peaceful Sudan, given the countless other rebel groups and militias which are not represented at the negotiating table, say analysts. This will automatically prevent a large number of people returning to their homes, most notably in Darfur, where the conflict has steadily escalated despite a recent ceasefire agreement. For areas that are peaceful, and can reasonably expect large influxes of returnees, detailed and coordinated planning is necessary to prevent large numbers of people from dying. But whether or not that planning will take place in time remains to be seen. The Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SRRC), the SPLM's humanitarian wing, is currently "sizing up the IDP population", "working on how to approach the matter," and in conjunction with the UN and NGOs will hold a conference on IDPs in early December in Rumbek, according to Malok. But humanitarian observers say not enough is being done on time. "What is worrying me very much is that the SRRC should take the lead on the IDPs, but they are not proactive enough, there is a lack of detail," Deng told IRIN. "The political agenda is so dominant in our thinking," he added. "Everyone is focusing on signing peace, not on the IDPs." [Ends]