technical institutions. Otherwise our efforts will be in vain and the formula of war, misery, marginalization, discrimination, exclusion and poverty will continue. I believe that working toward guaranteeing the rights of minority women is a vital requirement for achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Therefore, empowering the local communities by strengthening their capacity to be able to cater for their dignity and human rights is crucial. That would definitely need support from multiple stakeholders, including all of us who are here today in this forum. The United Nations High Commission for Human right has been at the forefront in defending the rights of the voiceless, followed by other institutions, and indeed they hold places of honor in the hearts and minds of the vulnerable people including the minorities. To this end, Minority women should be capacitated and empowered to seek active and effective participation in civil society consultations, so they may consider creative and suitable ways to ensure their rights has been respected and protected. Furthermore, holding such meetings in regions where minorities predominantly live, and by facilitating attendance of minority women and improving their participation in such gatherings is an advantage to the fulfillment of this forum’s objectives. Finally, let me express my gratitude and honor for this rare and historic opportunity. It means a lot to the minority women in general and Sudanese in particular, and I thank you all for organizing this forum and facilitating my participation. Thank you i SIHA Network-Banjul Report 2011 The Interim National Constitution of the republic of the Sudan 1998 and Sudan criminal Act of 1991 iii Minority Rights Group International 2011 report ii