Women accused of wearing trousers in Sudan

Friday, September 11th, 2009

A Sudanese woman arrested in July for flouting Sudan’s decency laws for wearing trousers has been spared the expected Islamic punishment of 40 lashes. Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein was instead ordered to pay a fine of about $200 following a court decision in Khartoum, the Sudanese capital.

Scores of female supporters rallied behind Lubna shouting ‘freedom’. When asked about the verdict, Lubna said she refuses to pay the fine and would rather go to jail.

Lubna, together with 12 other women were arrested during a raid at a restaurant in Khartoum in July. Ten of the women accepted a punishment of 10 lashes, but al-Hussein and two other women opted to go to trial.

Lubna was working as a press officer for the UN when she was arrested. She said that she wanted to get rid of Article 152 of the Sudanese penal code which decrees 40 lashes for anyone “who commits an indecent act which violates public morality or wears indecent clothing”.
Al-Hussein has challenged Sudan's legislation that decrees 50 lashes for indecency

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1 comment on “Women accused of wearing trousers in Sudan”


  1. Denise Holliday says:
    October 18th, 2009
    1:15 pm

    I am proud of this lady wo chooses to wear what is right for her and would urge the govt. to back her and aree this is an acceptable way for women to dress if they so choose.

    It is important for people to move into the 21st century of thought and presentation.

    I congratulate her on her act and pray her decision will be accepted in the manner it was meant.

    Denise Holliday

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