We Don’t Give Up Because Our Communities Don’t

How a women-led organization in Sudan is driving local accountability and resilience in times of crisis 

Since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan on 15 April 2023, the country has faced one of the world’s fastest-growing internal displacement crises. As of 25 August 2025, about 12 million people had  been forced to flee their homes, including millions of women and girls exposed to heightened risks of violence, deprivation, and exclusion. The situation continues to deteriorate amid insecurity, with front-line states like Gedaref and Red Sea hosting large displaced populations in urgent need of assistance.

To help address these urgent needs, UN Women, supported by the Government of Japan, is implementing a humanitarian project that helps women and girls in Sudan through protection, livelihoods, and community peacebuilding. The project also strengthens women-led organizations, giving them the tools and confidence to take the lead in supporting their communities.

Khadija Zakaria Ismail Abdel Aziz, the Director of Young Dreams Charity Organization (YDCO), is one of these Sudanese women leaders driving change from the ground up. A graduate of Cairo University with a Master’s degree, her journey into humanitarian work was shaped by the harsh realities that Sudanese women and children face daily.

“My biggest motivation is the high mortality rate among women and children due to bad traditions and customs,” she says.

Before the war, YDCO focused on child protection, women’s empowerment, and community development. But the conflict changed everything. Displacement soared, funding plummeted, and access shrank. Still, Khadija remained determined.

“People in Sudan are facing death from conflict, hunger, thirst, and poverty. They’ve become IDPs and refugees. We can’t afford to stop,” she shared.

Through her participation in trainings supported by the Government of Japan, Khadija and her team gained critical technical skills in Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), Gender Based Violence (GBV) risk mitigation, and Community Feedback Mechanisms (CFM). She attended both the ToTs in Addis Ababa and the joint UN Women–UNICEF AAP and CFM workshop in Port Sudan.

YDCO has since begun applying these skills  in tangible ways—updating their Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) system to include gender-responsive indicators, integrating PSEA reporting in community structures, and consulting displaced women at all stages of project delivery.

“AAP principles are now integrated into our program cycle, from assessments to exit. Our MEAL system is dynamic and responsive,” she explained.

Khadija’s leadership has also been recognized by other actors in the humanitarian response. YDCO has now been selected under the AAP Localization and Interagency CFM Project for extensive capacity-building on cross-cutting issues and project management. This strategic partnership aims to support the drafting and implementation of a localized AAP strategy—placing YDCO at the forefront of institutionalizing community-led accountability in Sudan.

“Communities are not just consulted—they’re in charge. Accountability is not a checkbox—it’s a daily practice,” she asserts.

Despite the challenges, Khadija remains hopeful and determined.

“When communities don’t give up on themselves, we have no excuse to give up on them.”

She calls on donors and international actors to prioritize long-term investment in national and women-led organizations—especially those with lived experience and deep local knowledge.

“We’re ready to do more, but we need partners willing to invest in people, processes, and power-sharing—not just outputs.”