Female delegates to join Sudan peace talks, address gender violence

WASHINGTON — Representatives from female-led Sudanese civil society groups are planning to take part in next week’s Sudan peace talks in Geneva, a significant gesture of inclusion in addressing widespread gender-based violence in the 15-month conflict. The U.S.-mediated talks, set to begin August 14, aim to resolve the civil war between Sudan’s two rival military factions, alleviate a dire humanitarian crisis, and develop a monitoring and verification system to ensure implementation of any deal.