Lubna Ahmed Hussein on NYTimes Global Front Page
Sun, September 6, 2009 
NYTimes puts Lubna Ahmed Hussein case on front page, global editionThank goodness one American major media publication has finally joined us in understanding that the Lubna Ahmed Hussein case impacts women everywhere in the world.
The women of Sudan, joined by European women and a few of us “international women’s rights slugs” here in America, understand that the issues raised by Lubna’s courageous “no” to Sudan’s Article 152 are huge.
Only two weeks ago, in Park Slope, Brooklyn, I took the subway into Manhattan, with my friend. It was 90-degrees already, and I wore a jersey halter dress: flared skirt, cotton-knit, knees covered, absolutely no cleavage. In a halter dress, my shoulders and arms were bare.
A man at the top of the subway stairs was handing out a local newspaper. I said: “No thanks.” My friend took the paper.
As we descended the stairs, the man shouted to my friend, saying (to paraphrase): “I need to take your girlfriend to the mosque for a few days, so she learns to dress properly.”
Being so deeply involved in Lubna’s case and the subject of “full coverage clothing” all summer, a shudder went through me. Both my friend and I stopped on the stairs, stupified, to face the man. The descending crowd forced us to move on.
Anne of Carversville’s coverage of Lubna’s activism will continue, whatever happens tomorrow in Khartoum. I am pleased that a “liberal”, first-rate news organization has joined American conservatives and a much more outspoken, united global press in featuring a Sudanese women’s rights issue that deserves international coverage.
When Lubna walks into court in Khartoum tomorrow, she represents women everywhere in the world.
Official government records show that 43,000 women were arrested in Khartoum province for “indecent dress” last year. The NY Times should have added that fact to their article. Flogging women in Sudan is not a rare occurrence. Anne
Read: Sudanese Trouser Trial to Resume Monday NYTimes
Reader Comments (1)
It is good that these news stories go out, but what most don't seem to mention/realize is that these same countries can be quite brutal with the men as well. Men are also required certain dress and levels of 'beard'. It's nothing more than dictatorship. The sexist aspect is just the tip of the iceburg.