PARTNER SPOTLIGHT – Kassala Women’s Development Association Network (KWDAN)

In Sudan, we are proud to collaborate with the Kassala Women’s Development Association Network (KWDAN) to foster gender transformative change. Take a closer look at KWDAN in this spotlight on our local partner.

Collaboration is at the core of our identity at Practical Action. We believe that partnerships form the foundation of our work. Working together with various groups and organisations is important to the success of our international efforts. By establishing long-term relationships with our partners, we strive to pave the way for sustainable futures for the world’s poorest people worldwide.

About KWDAN

KWDAN first started as the Women Development Association, established by Practical Action in 1994 as a part of a project, registered with the Ministry of Social Development in 1996, and continued to operate until 2003. In 2005, the Kassala Women Development Associations Network (KWDAN) was established and officially registered with the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in 2007.

Practical Action was initially KWDAN’s main partner and supporter. However, they have since expanded their partnership network to include governmental institutions, local organisations, international NGOs (non-governmental organizations) including WHH Foundation, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), as well UN Agencies such as United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF.

KWDAN’s vision is to create a society free from vulnerability and aware of its rights, in which women and children enjoy lasting peace and sustainable, equal development, and in which women can achieve their goals in all areas of development. KWDAN’s vision is to contribute to spreading awareness and enhancing women’s capabilities through sincere partnership and effective coordination to achieve goals and objectives by advocating for women’s issues and reducing their poverty.

The primary focus of KWDAN’s work is empowering women, particularly those in rural areas across all localities of Kassala state. KWDAN recognises that economic empowerment is essential for women’s empowerment. Over the years, they have discovered that the establishment of women’s associations fosters empowerment through mutual support and collaborative efforts. Their approach focuses on strengthening women’s capacities through various training initiatives such as food production, food processing, handmade crafts, women’s farms, and other income generating activities. Moreover, they also work to increase awareness among these women regarding environmental matters, sexual and reproductive health rights, and advocacy.

KWDAN’s work with Practical Action

KWDAN’s work with Practical Action began in the nineties. Practical Action played a role in assisting KWDAN in establishing associations within various communities, strengthening their capacity, linking them with funding organisations, providing guidance on state facilitation, supporting the construction of their office building.

Together, Practical Action and KWDAN implemented numerous projects across different localities within Kassala state through the different associations. KWDAN started with 3 association in 3 localities, and they have since grown to 39 associations, each consisting of 35 members.

KWDAN’s approach to gender transformation, women empowerment, and gender-based violence (GBV)

At first, KWDAN struggled to work with rural women due to the conservative culture and social norms of the East. Traditionally, women are not allowed to sell in the market, travel long distances without a spouse, or even have a role in household decision-making.

KWDAN started to break down those barriers by including men in their activities so they could reach the women and facilitate the workshops in the villages instead of them coming to us. Slowly, they managed to gain the trust of the community, and they were able to create different women’s associations and involve them in different committees. Eventually, women became part of the decision-making process and managed to create their own savings fund.

KWDAN developed a feedback mechanism to give them a safe space to report issues, raise concerns, and suggest solutions through an anonymous suggestion box, which allowed them to understand and tackle the issues in a safe way.

KWDAN had several interventions for reducing gender-based violence, including raising awareness about the consequences of harassment, female genital mutilation (FGM), early girls’ marriage, and their rights. In addition, they work to promote women’s and children’s health, as well as nutrition and reproductive health.

Through these efforts KWDAN has gained a good reputation and can access the women’s communities directly. The women’s associations that they created are very skilled, organised, and support each other in implementing the different activities and solving their own problems.

How KWDAN is supporting women in the face of conflict

During Sudan’s current crisis, KWDAN has been working closely with supporting Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), registering, and classifying them based on their various requirements. They have provided basic health services in 16 IDP camps in Kassala, which includes 950 households, around 22,000 individuals. KWDAN has also been working with IDPs in 15 neighbourhoods, distributing health and hygiene kits to 1,000 IDP and host community households. Furthermore, KWDAN is working towards facilitating group discussions with women in the IDP camps to identify their unique needs and provide health and psychological support.

KWDAN’s hope for women’s empowerment in Sudan

Within KWDAN, a collective vision for women’s empowerment in Sudan springs forth. Zahir Elsyed, the M&E Manager says “we hope to build women’s capacities to be able to develop and make change in their communities. He looks forward to future where women stand tall as change-makers, their capacities honed and nurtured.

Envisioning a Sudan where empowered women are steering their own destinies with strength and resilience, Hanan Zaid, the Director of KWDAN says “we hope that women will be economically independent and empowered, overcoming all harmful cultural norms and limitations.”

Aliat Altoum, the Project Manager, shares a similar aspiration. She hopes to see Sudanese women step into their full potential. “We want women to be aware, able to make their own decisions, and know and advocate for their rights.”

To learn more about and get in touch with the Kassala Women’s Development Association Network (KWDAN) contact:

• Hanan Zaid, Director, [email protected]
• Aliat Altoum, Project Manager, [email protected]
• Zahir Elsyed, M&E Manager, [email protected]