Sudan – Like Her

Nahid Toubia

Nahid Toubia, a Sudanese surgeon and women’s health rights activist, dedicated her career to studying and combating female genital mutilation (FGM). As the first female surgeon in Sudan, she conducted important research on the cultural, social, and medical aspects of FGM, raising awareness about the practice and proposing solutions to eliminate it. Toubia’s activism extended further through her co-founding and directing of RAINBO, an international organization that works towards eliminating FGM through women’s empowerment and social change.

SudanAerospace EngineerAviation

Zeinab Elobeid Yousif

Zeinab Elobeid Yousif, a trailblazing Sudanese aircraft engineer, shattered stereotypes and became the first Sudanese woman licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority in the United Kingdom. Born in Khartoum, Sudan in 1952, Yousif defied societal expectations to pursue her passion for engineering. Her exceptional contributions to Sudan Airways and her groundbreaking achievements continue to inspire women worldwide.

SudanAfrican AmericanArtist

Shanakdakhete

Shanakdakhete, the renowned queen of the Kingdom of Kush, was a trailblazer and the earliest known ruling African queen of ancient Nubia. She ruled the Meroë Empire with absolute power and accomplished this without a king by her side, breaking the male-dominated governance of the time. Besides her political achievements, Shanakdakhete played a significant role in the Meroitic religion and her name is immortalized in history through inscriptions in Egyptian Meroitic hieroglyphs. She left a lasting legacy as one of the most remarkable queens of ancient Nubia, challenging traditional gender roles and paving the way for future generations of women in positions of authority.

Great BritainSudanTrack & Field

Yamilé Aldama

Yamilé Aldama Pozo is a Cuban-born triple jumper who represented Cuba until 2003, Sudan from 2004 to 2010, and then Great Britain from 2011 onwards. She won a silver medal at the 1999 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2012 World Indoor Championships. Aldama’s career spanned over two decades, during which she faced numerous challenges and setbacks. Despite the obstacles, she remained dedicated to her sport and showcased exceptional talent and determination. Her role in women’s history is significant, as she has been an inspiration to countless young athletes around the world.

SudanActivistJournalist

Lubna al-Hussein

Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein is a Sudanese Muslim activist and journalist who gained international recognition in 2009 when she was prosecuted for wearing trousers. She used her platform to criticize the government of Sudan for its treatment of women and became a symbol of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights in the country. Her courageous stand inspired many and earned her the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage in Journalism Award.