Organization
The organization is mostly active in the Sahrawi refugee camps in Tindouf, Algeria, where it is a powerful force within the POLISARIO and the Sahrawi republic. It is internationally active in organizing support for Sahrawi women and the Sahrawi cause, but also campaigns for women's' rights within the exile community and in political decision-making. As a consequence of this, and of the special circumstances of the Western Sahara war years, the situation of Sahrawi women has improved noticeably. There are presently two women in the Sahrawi republic's government, the Minister of Culture Khadijah Hamdi, and the Minister of Education Mariem Salek Hamada.
The UNMS is directed by a "National Committee" of 66 members, elected in the UNMS congress every 5 years. It is subdivided into several departments:
- Department of External Relations and Cooperation
- Department of Information and Culture
- Department of Administration and Organization
- Department of Occupied Towns and Emigration
- Department of Social Affairs
- Department of Health and Family Affairs
- Department of Formation
- Department of Education
- Department of Production
There are also departments for each Wilaya. The national committee is chaired by a Secretary General, elected also in the congresses, who is at the same time member of the Polisario Front national committee.
Keltoum Khayati, a former general secretary of the UNMS had fled to Morocco, and is defending the Moroccan position in the conflict. The present general secretary since 2002 is Fatma Mehdi Hassan.
The UNMS is member of the Women International Democratic Federation (WIDF) and the General Federation of Arab Woman since 1977, and of the Pan-African Women's Organization (PAWO) since 1980.
Read more about this topic: National Organization Of Sahrawi Women
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