In line with the 2010 International Women's Day theme, "Equal rights, equal opportunities: progress for all", UNMIS held a two-day human rights training workshop in Wau during the first week of March.

The event brought together over 40 women activists from civil society, state institutions and the state assembly.

"The training was part of an UNMIS effort to empower and strengthen the knowledge and understanding by women of their rights," said Marcel Zinsou, UNMIS Human Rights Team Leader for Wau.

The workshop focused on women and elections, regional and international women's rights instruments, women's rights violations, investigating and documenting violations and the role of different actors in promoting and protecting women's rights.

Marta Richard, Director of Gender at the Ministry of Education, Western Bahr el-Ghazal State, noted that the session improved participants' understanding of issues relating to women's rights and elections.

"We are grateful because the women are now more aware of their right to vote, to be elected and to participate in the elections," said Ms. Richard.

Fergus Boyle, UNMIS Wau Acting Head of Office, urged participants to pass on the information they had acquired during the workshop to others.

"Educate your fellow women about their rights, how to recognize violations against them, how to prevent them and how they can report violations effectively. If we keep silent, nothing will change," Mr. Boyle said.

The workshop was organized by UNMIS Human Rights Unit in collaboration with the UN Development Programme Rule of Law section, Western Bahr El-Ghazal State Assembly and civil society groups in the state