(ii)
The Role of Women
47. The delegation met with the NUSW and visited the National Women’s School called the
“27 February School” which offers training in computer studies, sewing, weaving and
languages to women from all the refugee camps.
48. The population of the Saharawi refugee camps is made up of 80 per cent women and
children. The women are involved in the organization of everyday life in refugee
camps. Saharawi women occupy most of the jobs in the camps: education,
administration and health. At present, 85 per cent of the teachers are women.
49. Furthermore, not only are women actively involved in the social construction of life in
the camps, but also are involved in the political arena as well. Under the umbrella of the
National Union of Sahrawi Women (NUSW), the women continue to play a major role
in the political formation in the camps. Currently, there are two women ministers, one
woman who is the governor of the Wilaya of Boujdour, and five women are members of
the political bureau of the Polisario front. Their role is very crucial to the Sahrawi
struggle for independence.
(iii)
Humanitarian Aid
50. It was brought to the delegation’s attention that humanitarian aid on which the camp
residents were entirely dependent has been steadily dwindling caused by the global
economic crisis. Following the kidnap in October 2011 of three European aid workers,
some
European
humanitarian
NGOs
left
the
refugee
camps.
Humanitarian
organizations operating in the camps also brought to the delegations attention, the fact
that the emergency norms under which they operate are not suited to the peculiarities of
Sahrawi refugees since theirs is a situation that has persisted for almost 38 years and
cannot therefore continue to function using such norms. It is therefore necessary to
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