After two years of research for the best ways that could help Sudanese women fully integrate into the wider Australian Society, we agreed to hold a national conference in Canberra.
Sudanese women who, over recent years, have settled with their families in every State of Australia and New Zealand met in 2007 in Canberra on International Women’s Day to celebrate their achievements, discuss issues of settlement and plan for their integration into the main stream of Australia.
These women come from different backgrounds and experiences. Many of the women are raising children on their own as their partners, husbands and fathers had died, were separated or were missing from the long Civil War which has ravaged Sudan over two decades.
They cut through traditional barriers, which prohibit women from playing an active leading role in their community, and saw the chance of a peaceful, productive lifestyle possible since arriving in Australia or New Zealand. We want to ensure that this opportunities in Australia and New Zealand are fully realized.
The women agreed to encourage peaceful relations and support mechanisms within the Sudanese communities and to engender strong links with other Australian and New Zealand communities and other Australians and New Zealanders.
Sudanese women want to be productive Australian and New Zealand Citizens and play an active part in their local communities. Although they came from different tribes and different religious background, traditionally, most women are not allowed to take a leading role in matters affecting their daily lives. We will work to ensure an end to discrimination against women in the local community.
Sudanese women are proud of their heritage and culture and wish to maintain this strength in their family and communities and pass this on to their children.