To strengthen the role of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in preventing, managing and resolving conflicts in their communities, UNMISS today held a workshop for women living in Mahad IDP camp in Juba.

The workshop, which targeted women from different ethnic groups, was also aimed at averting ethnic tensions characteristic of the camp, where 7,230 IDPs are seeking shelter.

Additionally, it was intended contribute to a long-term vision for an inclusive peace process in which women’s roles will be fully recognized. 

“We thought that we should promote peaceful co-existence with the help of women taking active participation in dialogue and mediation … as we try to project UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which requires full involvement of women in peace processes at the camps and after living as IDPs,” said Elizabeth Hammond, an UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer.

The IDPs were facing challenges due to new arrivals from areas affected by recent fighting like Melut in Upper Nile State and 560 returnees from Kenya and Uganda, she said.

Ms. Hammond added that tensions within the IDPs living in Mahad were mainly caused by external factors.

“It appears that sometimes when they get information (about ethnic clashes) from areas outside their camp … it influences their attitudes in the camp even though they try to manage tension in the camp,” said Ms. Hammond.

The UNMISS official stressed the need to empower women for their role in ensuring IDPs from different ethnic communities lived in peace.

She noted that women were vital in managing conflicts at a lower level, before they could escalate, by persuading their husbands and children to stay out of any clashes.

“We know that implementation of the peace agreement will be coming up soon,” said Ms. Hammond. “As they go back home, they will be able to co-exist as different ethnic groups and they will go as peace ambassadors.”

Mayen Kur Kuer, chairman of IDPs living at Mahad, commended UNMISS for organizing the workshop and called for similar events to be held more regularly. 

“I appeal to UNMISS, if possible, to organize such training every month,” he said. “We will even bring people from outside the IDP camp to come and benefit from such training (so that) our country is strong and united.”

Normi Aror Malek, representing women from one ethnic group, said the training would help IDPs to co-exist.

“This training … has opened our eyes and minds and will enable the three (ethnic) communities … living at Mahad IDP camp to co-exist in harmony,” she said.

Atur Omot, a participant from another community, said the training had helped create love and trust among different communities.

“Lack of love makes you fight your neighbours (and) it makes you fight along ethnic lines,” he said. “Today, we have (learnt) that we are one people. Now I call a person from (another ethnic group) my brother or sister, my son or my daughter, my father or my mother.”