{"id":171921,"date":"2020-12-21T14:44:00","date_gmt":"2020-12-21T14:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dabangasudan.preview.websight.nl\/kandaka-keeping-women-s-rights-on-the-agenda-in-post-revolution-sudan\/"},"modified":"2020-12-21T14:44:00","modified_gmt":"2020-12-21T14:44:00","slug":"kandaka-keeping-women-s-rights-on-the-agenda-in-post-revolution-sudan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.dabangasudan.org\/en\/all-news\/article\/kandaka-keeping-women-s-rights-on-the-agenda-in-post-revolution-sudan","title":{"rendered":"Kandaka: Keeping women\u2019s rights on the agenda in post-revolution Sudan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last year, Sudan’s successful pro-democracy revolution made headlines around the world, with many international onlookers surprised at the integral and leading role played by women.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Women made up an estimated 70 per cent of the mass demonstrations that led to the toppling of the Omar Al Bashir run regime. A photo of a woman wearing white, addressing protesters from a car rooftop, became a widely shared and defining image of the revolution.<\/p>\n

High hopes were bestowed on Sudan’s transitional government to steer the nation towards democracy, and dismantle the structures and ‘morality laws’ that unjustly targeted women.<\/p>\n

As the initial excitement of the revolution’s success faded, the Dabanga team decided to launch a new programme dedicated to keeping the spotlight on women’s rights, experiences, and achievements during the transition period.<\/p>\n

The half-hour show – named Kandaka<\/em> in reference to the Nubian Queens of Sudan’s ancient Kingdom of Kush – has been produced weekly throughout 2020 by freelance Sudanese journalist Hanadi Saaed.<\/p>\n

For Hanadi, documenting women’s stories and issues during this period is not a responsibility she takes lightly.<\/p>\n

“Kandaka<\/em> will very soon be a record and archive on issues relating to women during these times of change and significance in Sudan. For researchers, academics, and whoever needs this information in the future,” she says.<\/p>\n

In 2020, the show addressed a wide range of political, cultural, health, and social issues – from human trafficking to the gendered impacts of COVID-19 in IDP camps, to the (limited) role of women within the transitional government.<\/p>\n

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Celebrating the announcement on April 28, 2020 that it will be a criminal act to practice FGM in Sudan (Sari Omer)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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“Producing Kandaka<\/em> is a natural extension of my work”, says Hanadi, who has a strong track record reporting on women’s issues in Sudan. She previously spent ten years as a Khartoum-based newspaper journalist reporting on topics such as the Public Order Regime (POR), women’s work in the informal sector economy, and Female Genital Mutiliation (FGM).<\/p>\n

As Kandaka<\/em> documented throughout 2020, the fight for women’s rights remains a long, uphill battle.<\/p>\n

“It was us women who led the revolution…but now, one year after, there has not been much formal change – women are still suffering and struggling,” says Hanadi.<\/p>\n

“It’s not only on the government, it’s the social mentality which is slow to change… Sudanese society is very male-dominated.” Nonetheless, Hanadi says there have been small marks of progress.<\/p>\n

“For example, last week, the transitional government adopted new child and welfare rules – this was a positive step. Us women, we are not happy, but we’re happy about some of the progress we are making.”<\/p>\n

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“It was us women who led the revolution…but now, one year after, there has not been much formal change – women are still suffering and struggling.”<\/p>\n

– Hanadi Saeed<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Hanadi says moving into radio from print journalism has enabled her to connect with interviewees and audiences in different ways.<\/p>\n

“Shortwave radio is most important – especially as women in camps can benefit from this because they often cannot access other traditional media.”<\/p>\n

Kandaka<\/em> is also published online and distributed via Whatsapp groups each week. Hanadi says this online and person-to-person sharing has helped build a loyal audience.<\/p>\n

“For example, yesterday I received feedback from a woman in a refugee camp, who said she really likes my programme. The women told me that she distributed the Kandaka<\/em> audio episodes further among young girls in the refugee camps.”<\/p>\n

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Selling tea on the road to passers-by (Sari Omer)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

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Now based outside of Sudan, Hanadi says the show helps nurture connections between Sudanese diaspora and those living in their home country.<\/p>\n

“All my guests are Sudanese; they all were born and grew up in Sudan. But some now live abroad where they get better opportunities.<\/p>\n

“I see my role as trying to bridge between them, and those in Sudan. Kandaka<\/em> has a strong peer-to-peer element.”<\/p>\n

Despite the challenges of 2020, and the uncertainties ahead, Hanadi remains optimistic.<\/p>\n

“Us women have a long way to go and many changes we have to advocate for. But there is a small light at the end of the tunnel.”<\/p>\n

The Kandaka<\/em> programme will continue in 2021. Past episodes are available in Arabic on Soundcloud<\/a>.  <\/p>\n

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Hanadi Saeed (File photo)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Selected English language news stories based on past episodes of Kandaka<\/em> include:<\/p>\n