Last Tuesday, Sudanese journalist Lubna Huessin was freed from prison after being convicted for wearing trousers in public, a violation of Sudan’s indecency law. According to the Sudanese law, which is partly ruled by Islam, women may be flogged for wearing any garment that is seen as morally offensive. While Huessin managed to escape the maximum punishment of 40 lashes, she was required by the judge to pay a $200 fine, which she refused, and consequently was sentenced to one month in jail.

Huessin was released to her surprise, as she did not pay the fine, although it was later revealed that Mohieddin Titawi, leader of the Journalist’s Union, had paid on her behalf.

At her court appearance last Monday, Huessin arrived dressed in the same green pants that got her arrested just over a month ago. Her strong convictions for equality were evident as she stated “I will keep wearing the trousers. I won’t be affected by the court. This is my normal life.” [1] It is believed that Huessin and the 12 other women that were arrested with her were arbitrarily targeted for their dress, therefore it is apparent that the issue is an illustration of the grander level of discrimination aimed at women in Sudan. WCI hopes that the actions of brave women such as Huessin will help Sudanese women advance receive the protection they deserve  from discriminatory practices, arbitrary arrests and inhumane treatment, all of which contravene Sudan’s bill of rights.

For more information, see http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/world/africa/09sudan.html?_r=1

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/08/AR2009090801086.html?sub=AR

[1] Lubna Huessin “Pants-Wearing Woman Freed in Sudan” The New York Times (September 9, 2009).