Using skills from gender and governance studies in Sudan's parliament and civil society

Interview with member of Sudan's parliament since 2010 Botheyna Saad Rhama from West Kordufan and Safia Mohammed of the Gender Center for Research and Training in Khartoum. Ms. Rhama says she uses knowledge gained at Ahfad University for Women's Regional Institute for Gender, Diversity, Peace and Rights in her work as member of parliament. As a current graduate student in gender and governance, she's applying her studies to four areas: 1. She heard of gender responsive budgeting for the first time during her studies and is applying it as a parliamentarian; 2. She analyses policies ans proposals from a gender perspective; 3. She analyzes political speeches from a gender perspective; and 4. She realized from her courses at Ahfad University University's Institute for Gender how important it is for women at the grassroots level to lobby for their causes. Women in parliament can also benefit from female lobbyists when promoting gender-sensitive laws and policies. Safia Mohammed completed a master's degree in gender and development at Ahfad University for Women in 2007. She explains how the knowledge she gained at Ahfad is useful for her work to advance women's issues nationally, locally and in family life.

The interviews were held on 9 April 2014 in Khartoum.