Born: 1972
Died: 2016
Biography:
Dr. Christine Marie-Helene Loudes (1972 – 2016) was a human rights lawyer who worked tirelessly to achieve social change for justice and equality. She was a renowned human rights activist and dedicated much of her academic and professional life to advocating for gender equality and women’s rights. Dr. Loudes’s remarkable work in the field of human rights earned her numerous accolades and left a lasting impact on society.
One of Dr. Loudes’s most significant contributions was her tireless efforts to end female genital mutilation (FGM). She served as the head of Amnesty International’s End FGM campaign, which ultimately led to the establishment of the End FGM European Network. Through her advocacy and commitment, she helped raise awareness and mobilize support to combat this harmful practice. Dr. Loudes’s work played a pivotal role in changing policies and ensuring the protection of women’s rights.
Throughout her career, Dr. Loudes collaborated with various organizations to champion human rights causes. She worked with ILGA-Europe (International Lesbian, Gay, Trans and Intersex Association) to advocate for the rights of LGBTI individuals across Europe. Additionally, she served as the Policy Director of ILGA-Europe’s European Region, where she campaigned for the rights of LGBTI people in prominent international bodies such as the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, the European Union, and the United Nations.
Dr. Loudes’s academic achievements also contributed to her influential career in human rights. She obtained a PhD in women’s rights and politics from Queen’s University, Belfast in 2003. Prior to that, she earned an LLM degree in human rights law from the University of Nottingham and a Master’s degree in political science and law from the Université Robert Schuman.
In January 2009, Dr. Loudes joined Amnesty International’s European Institutions Office in Brussels as the End FGM European Campaign director. She led a collaborative effort with 15 national organizations to campaign against female genital mutilation. During her tenure, she also acted as an advisor in a mapping study on FGM for the European Institute for Gender Equality. Her dedication and expertise earned her the prestigious Amnesty International’s Gender Defender Award in December 2014, recognizing her outstanding contributions in promoting gender equality and combating human rights violations.
In 2015, Dr. Loudes took on the role of Senior Officer on Gender Based Violence at the European Institute for Gender Equality. In this capacity, she continued her advocacy work by addressing violence against women and implementing strategies to combat gender-based violence.
Dr. Christine Marie-Helene Loudes’s passion, expertise, and unwavering commitment to human rights made an indelible mark on society. Her groundbreaking work in ending female genital mutilation and promoting gender equality continues to inspire and empower others to champion human rights and fight for justice.
Awards:
– Amnesty International’s Gender Defender Award (December 2014)