Giving Women a Voice

posted: November 24, 2001

The New York Times

To the Editor:

Re ''U.S. Envoy Looks for Change in Sudan'' (news article, Nov. 18):

Former Senator John C. Danforth is to be congratulated for his efforts, on behalf of the United States government, to reach out to the people of southern Sudan in a tentative attempt at peacemaking. It was encouraging to read that he met with women. Having been to Khartoum and southern Sudan, I know that there are many women in both places with strong voices and opinions who would be most helpful in the peace process there.

As Laura Bush made clear in her Nov. 17 radio address, it is essential to include women in peace-building and reconstruction efforts, not only in Afghanistan but also in regions of conflict around the world.

MARY ANNE SCHWALBE
New York, Nov. 19, 2001

The writer is a board member of the Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children.