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Sudan - A edit

50 images Created 28 May 2009

SUDAN UNVEILED: HOW DARFUR'S WOMEN ARE MAKING THEIR MARK.

Words by Glyn Strong
Pictures by Richard Baker
Copyright May 2009.

Excerpt of Glyn Strong's 3,000 word story:

"Fourteen thousand feet above the barren landscape of Sudan an 18-year-old Antonov 30 carries some of the country's most powerful women to Darfur. Among them are doctors, academics and the president's legal advisor. They are heading for Al Fashir, the Northern capital, for a groundbreaking summit on challenges facing the region's women.

It's hard to grasp that this group of brightly dressed ladies being served refreshments in a small VIP charter aircraft are changing the face of the largest country in Africa. But this is no mile-high tea party and these are no ordinary women. Travelling with them is a voyage of discovery that dispels myth after myth and reveals some surprising facts about political realities in Sudan."

The Sudanese Women General Union has 27,000 branches all over Sudan, including Darfur. They have representatives in all rural villages, across communities of around 80 tribes and clans. The women of Sudan are wives, mothers, farmers a real force and historically, there have been female leaders.

(A gallery of the best 50 images from British peer Lord Ahmed's delegtaion visit to Khartoum and Al-Fashir in Darfur. Coinciding with the first-ever International Conference on Womens' Challenges in Darfur and ending with an audience with the Sudanese President, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir.

Text is available from the writer Glyn Strong (glynstrong@googlemail.com) and all images are for immediate sale in all territories - except the UK - and without restrictions).

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  • A lady attending the first international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, boards a chartered Russian Antonov aircraft during flight to Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan023-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Dr Safaa Elagib Adam and Maha Faraigon are seated near the window on a flight to attend the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur. Discussing conference matters, they sit in a chartered Russian Antonov aircraft during flight to Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur where women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues. The short flight saves them a hazardous five-day drive by road, known for extreme acts of violence by rebels and Janjaweed soldiers.
    sudan034-23-05-2009.jpg
  • During a two-hour flight to attend the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur. Women sit patiently in the cabin of a chartered Russian Antonov aircraft during flight to Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur where women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues. The short flight saves them a hazardous five-day drive by road, known for extreme acts of violence by rebels and Janjaweed soldiers.
    sudan037-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Ladies attending the first international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, sit in a chartered Russian Antonov aircraft during a flight to Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where women from remote parts of Sudan gathereed to discuss peace and political issues. The short flight saves her a hazardous five-day drive by road, known for extreme acts of violence by rebels and Janjaweed soldiers.
    sudan033-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Aerial view of Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) the front-line town in north Darfur. Basic housing is seen against the barren and scorched red earth in this area of south-western Sudan. ..
    sudan231-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Kalthoum Ibrahim Flamid, 45 has lived in the Abu Shouk refugee camp since having to leave her village in Darfur six years ago. The 4 sq km camp which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons and families on the outskirts of the front-line town of Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur. Her husband's whereabouts are unknown and she helps look after her children by running this vegetable stall selling tomatoes and onions.
    sudan183-24-05-2009.jpg
  • After a flight from the Sudanese capital Khartoum, British Muslim activist, TV broadcaster and journalist, Yvonne Ridley is greeted by women of Darfur on the tarmac of Al-Fashir airport. She and a delegation hosted by British peer Lord Ahmed, she is here to attend the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, hosted by the govenor in his own compound.
    sudan051-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Beneath the tail rotor of a Sudan army helecopter gunship, digitaries, officials and tribal elders line-up to greet the British peer, Lord Ahmed who has arrived with a delegation in this war-torn province of Sudan to attend the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, hosted by the govenor in his own compound. Nazir, Baron Ahmed (born 1958) is a member of the House of Lords, having become the United Kingdom's first Muslim life peer in 1998.
    sudan046-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Darfurian women express the hope of peace when they line-up at Al Fashir airport, Sudan to greet British peer Lord Ahmed of Rotheram who has brought over from the UK, a delegation to attend the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, hosted by the govenor in his own compound.
    sudan055-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Darfurian women line-up at Al Fashir airport, Sudan to greet British peer Lord Ahmed of Rotheram who has brought over from the UK, a delegation to attend the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, hosted by the govenor in his own compound.
    sudan052-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Beneath the imposing portrait of their Sudanese President in Al Fashir airport, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, a Darfurian lady and children await the entourage of British peer Lord Ahmed of Rotheram who has brought over from the UK, a delegation to attend the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, hosted by the govenor in his own compound.
    sudan058-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Ladies attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, leave the venue during a break in procedings in a compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan090-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Before continuing to the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, Amira Elfadil, Secretary General of the National Council of Child Welfare listens to speeches inside the 4 sq km camp Abo Shouk refugee camp, which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons, on the outskirts of Al Fasher, Sudan.
    sudan063-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Ladies attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, gather in a compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan070-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Ladies attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, listen to speeches in a compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan084-23-05-2009.jpg
  • A Sudanese woman has the opportunity to speak her mind from the stage while attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, gather in a compound belonging to the Govenor of Noth Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan100-24-05-2009.jpg
  • With great passion for justice, a Sudanese woman makes her point while attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, gather in a compound belonging to the Govenor of Noth Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan098-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Ladies attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, listen to speeches in a compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan082-23-05-2009.jpg
  • A Sudanese woman has run out of time but still has more to say after the opportunity to speak her mind from the stage while attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, gather in a compound belonging to the Govenor of Noth Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues. Another 'sister' tries to grab her mic for their own chance to speak amid shouting and frustration at the lack of further time.
    sudan106-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Ladies attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, leave the venue during a break in procedings in a compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan089-23-05-2009.jpg
  • In the compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur, is Rajaa Hassan Khalifa, Secretary General of the Sudanese Womens' General Union during the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where Sudanese women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan152-23-05-2009.jpg
  • In the compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur, is Amira Elfadil, Secretary General of the National Council of Child Welfare during the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where Sudanese women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues. .
    sudan150-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Maha Faraigon, organiser of the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur. They gathered in a compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan138-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Ladies attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, discuss politics in a compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan094-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Ladies attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, gather in a compound tent belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan111-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Ladies attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, gather to dance and sing traditional songs in a compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan118-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Ladies attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, gather to dance and sing traditional songs in a compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan122-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Sudanese President, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir is seated against a gold leaf backdrop of Islamic texts in a reception room of his palace in central Khartoum. Al Bashir is head of the National Congress Party and has been in power since October 1993.
    sudan240-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Under the watchful eye of a Sudanese policeman armed with an Kalashikov AK-47, a lady delegate attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, leaves the compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan136-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Maha Faraigon, organiser of the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, leaves a trostrum after giving a speech in front of several hundred local Darfuri women. They gathered outside a compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan140-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Ladies attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, raise their hands in the hope of peace while gathering to hear speeches by the British peer Lord Ahmed and traditional songs by local singers just outside the compound walls belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues and celebrate Darfurian culture.
    sudan144-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Surrounded by other works of non-fiction, the Sudanese President, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir's biography is on sale on shelves in the Afra Alisveris Merkezi Souk, in central Khartoum. Al Bashir is head of the National Congress Party.
    sudan007-22-05-2009.jpg
  • The flaps of a temporary tent in the 4 sq km Abu Shouk refugee camp which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons, on the outskirts of Al Fasher, North Darfur. Sudan.
    sudan154-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Daily souk market in the 4 sq km Abu Shouk refugee camp which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons and families on the outskirts of the front-line town of Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur.
    sudan171-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Fatima Achmad Mohammed works at her vegetable stall in the shaded souk market of the 4 sq km Abu Shouk refugee camp which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons and families on the outskirts of the front-line town of Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur. .
    sudan190-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Young children play in the barren dust of the 4 sq km Abu Shouk refugee camp which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons and families on the outskirts of the front-line town of Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur. .
    sudan201-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Young boys between the ages of 8 and 13 gather in the streets outside the compound of the Govenor of the war-torn region of north Darfur, Sudan. Dressed in white gowns and wearing red bandanas, they will soon celebrate a Sudanese rite of passage, the male circumcision. When they have recited the entire Qur'an [Koran] once through will they generally endure this traditional practice
    sudan127-23-05-2009.jpg
  • A child peers through a gate at western visitors to the 4 sq km Abu Shouk refugee camp, which is  (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons, on the outskirts of Al Fasher, North Darfur, Sudan.
    sudan157-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Young boy in the shade of the souk market of the 4 sq km Abu Shouk refugee camp which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons and families on the outskirts of the front-line town of Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur.
    sudan189-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Mr Usher is a wood merchant selling wood from a stall that supplies building materials and fire timber in the 4 sq km Abo Shouk refugee camp which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons and families on the outskirts of the front-line town of Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur. .
    sudan198-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Seated in a presidential palace meeting room is Dr Ghazi Salahudin Atabani, a special advisor to the Sudanese President Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir during a media briefing in Khartoum.
    sudan246-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Kalthoum Ibrahim Flamid, 45 has lived in the Abu Shouk refugee camp since having to leave her village in Darfur six years ago. The 4 sq km camp which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons and families on the outskirts of the front-line town of Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur. Her husband's whereabouts are unknown and she helps look after her children by running this vegetable stall selling tomatoes and onions.
    sudan179-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Women make bricks for more stubstantial housing in the scorched barren dirt of the 4 sq km camp Abu Shouk refugee camp which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons and families on the outskirts of the front-line town of Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur. .
    sudan218-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Mr Matar Mohammed, a former farmer from Taweela, a Darfur village in the 4 sq km Abu Shouk refugee camp, (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons, on the outskirts of Al Fashir. Mr Mohammed was once a successful farmer who grew tobacco and sorghum and has occupied this house with his 14 family members since May 2004, surviving on twice a day aid hand-outs. Many family members and friends have been killed . " We had a good life," he says adding "we would go back if security was guaranteed .."
    sudan203-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Mr Matar Mohammed, a former farmer from Taweela, a Darfur village in the 4 sq km Abu Shouk refugee camp, (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons, on the outskirts of Al Fashir. Mr Mohammed was once a successful farmer who grew tobacco and sorghum and has occupied this house with his 14 family members since May 2004, surviving on twice a day aid hand-outs. Many family members and friends have been killed . " We had a good life," he says adding "we would go back if security was guaranteed .."
    sudan212-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Childrens' drawings showing one child's experiences of war on a souk market wall of the 4 sq km Abu Shouk refugee camp which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons and families on the outskirts of the front-line town of Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur. Drawing shows armoured personel vehicle among village homes and trees - a far cry from this huge camp.
    sudan193-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Dressed in army uniform is a portrait of the military Colonel Sudanese President, Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir in the central reservation of a highway near Khartoum's international airport.
    sudan016-22-05-2009.jpg
  • Torn UNICEF sheeting used to cover a makeshift roof lining of a home in the 4 sq km Abu Shouk refugee camp which is (disputedly) home to 38,000 displaced persons and families on the outskirts of the front-line town of Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) in north Darfur. .
    sudan200-24-05-2009.jpg
  • Crammed in a small minibus with Chinese writing on the side, delegates attending the first-ever international Conference on Womens' Challenge in Darfur, leave the compound belonging to the Govenor of North Darfur in Al Fasher (also spelled, Al-Fashir) where the women from remote parts of Sudan gathered to discuss peace and political issues.
    sudan137-23-05-2009.jpg
  • Amna Akeelo, a British citizen but originally from Ed da'ein in Sudanese south Darfur, is greeted at Heathrow airport, London by her husband Noor four of her seven children: Wurwood,12; Mafuzah,5; Fatima, 9 and Zara 23 after a two-week break holiday back hom in the sudan capital, Khartoum. A frequent visitor to her homeland, Anna has opened up a shop in Loughborough, England often importing clothes and local produce.
    sudan257-25-05-2009.jpg
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