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Biography:
Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein is a Sudanese Muslim, media worker, and activist who gained international recognition in July 2009 when she was prosecuted for wearing trousers. Born in Sudan, al-Hussein grew up in a society where women’s rights were severely restricted. However, she refused to stay silent and became an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and gender equality.
Al-Hussein started her career as a journalist, working for the media department of the United Nations Mission in Sudan. In this role, she witnessed firsthand the oppressive treatment of women in her country and felt compelled to bring about change. She used her platform as a journalist to publicly criticize the government of Sudan for its treatment of women, particularly the enforcement of laws that restrict their freedom.
In 2009, Sudan’s legal system was based on Islamic law (sharia), which allowed for judicial corporal punishment, including flagellation. Wearing trousers in public was considered indecent and could lead to punishment. Article 152 of the Penal Code prohibited indecent acts, including wearing obscene outfits, and carried a penalty of 40 lashes and a fine.
On July 3, 2009, the Public Order Police raided the Kawkab Elsharq Hall, targeting women and girls who were wearing trousers. Al-Hussein, who was attending a wedding party, was arrested along with twelve other women. While ten of them pleaded guilty and received ten lashes each, al-Hussein and two other women refused to accept the punishment and insisted on a trial.
Throughout her arrest and trial, al-Hussein used her platform and voice to draw international attention to the case. She printed invitation cards and sent emails titled Sudanese journalist Lubna invites you again to her flogging tomorrow, to highlight the unjust treatment she was facing. She argued that the application of Article 152 violated both the Sudanese constitution and Shariah law.
Al-Hussein’s brave stand garnered support not only in Sudan but also globally. Organizations like the Arabic Network for Human Rights Information and Amnesty International issued statements in solidarity with her cause. Women in the region also showed their support, although it also incited violence from Islamic extremists.
As a result of the global attention and pressure, al-Hussein’s punishment was ultimately reduced to a fine. However, she decided to resign from her position with the United Nations to continue her activism and fight for women’s rights.
Al-Hussein’s case became a symbol of the ongoing struggle for women’s rights in Sudan and brought attention to the oppressive treatment faced by women in the country. Her courage and determination to challenge unjust laws and fight for gender equality have inspired many and left a lasting impact on both Sudanese society and the global women’s rights movement.
Awards:
– Lubna al-Hussein received the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Courage in Journalism Award for her bravery and resilience in the face of persecution and for using her platform to advocate for women’s rights.