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Women’s Rights – 2005

The 2005 CPA provided for the equal rights of men and women to the enjoyment of all civil and political rights. This provision of CPA was incorporated in the interim constitution’s Article 15.2. As such, the state was said to promote and empower women in public life. The interim constitution came into effect on 9 July 2005.¹ The constitution also allowed women as well as men to pass on Sudanese nationality to their children (Article 7). Amnesty International had welcomed the emphasis on women’s and children’s rights in Sudan’s interim constitution.² Nevertheless, only two out of 22 ministerial portfolios were given to women in interim transitional government in southern Sudan.³ The Legislative Council of Southern Kordofan was formed on 12 December 2005 and convened on 22 December 2005 with 54 members (30 NCP and 24 SPLM), seven of whom were women.⁴ Women representation in the power-sharing national assembly and the unity government is not known.

1. “The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA,” UNMIS, March 2006.
2. “Sudan’s National Assembly Passes Constitution Paving Way for Former Rebel Leader to Be Vice President,” AP Worldstream, July 6, 2005.
3. “The CPA Monitor-Monthly report on the Implementation of the CPA.”
4. Ibid.