Interview of the Month
Khadiga Hussein is a 71 year old Sudanese -women's rights and community development activist, having entered the humanitarian field in 1960. Khadiga is the founder of Sudanese Mothers for Peace, a women’s organisation that works for peace in Sudan. In her early career Khadiga travelled to Egypt to undertake research at a UNESCO centre. She graduated as a specialist in community development as well as producing research on FGM, which was subsequently published in three different languages
In 1984 Khadiga Hussein took up the post as state Minister for Peace. In 1988 the military coup by the National Congress Party (NCP) and led by Omar Al Bashir took power of Sudan. The NCP quickly dissolved all civil society organisations as well as the Ministry for Peace. After the military coup, Khadiga continued her work for the advancement of peace and community development. One of her many initiatives was working with displaced peoples in and around the capital Khartoum. In 1992, whilst Khadiga was attending to her community initiatives, she was arrested by the state and held in a female only prison.
While she was in prison, Khadiga took the opportunity to ask women the reason of their imprisonment. She learnt that all of the women were either from Southern Sudan or the Nuba Mountains. Nearly all of the women said they had been imprisoned because they had been caught brewing and selling alcohol in Khartoum. Khadiga as well as the imprisoned women could not see the sense in this, as these women were not Muslim and therefore Sharia law should not have been made applicable to them. Khadiga raised the issue of Sharia law upon her release to the Sudanese Government and this proved to ultimately be a defining moment in the attainment of certain legal rights for non Muslims in the Sudan. Khadiga continues to work as a womens rights activist with Sudanese Mothers for Peace, as well as UK WILPF's Voices of African Women campaign (VoAW). Khadiga has received awards such as the one of 100 women who did great deeds for Sudan in the last century and the extraordinary award as a community champion in peace building, as well as an Award as an Ambassador for Peace WANGO organisation associated with the UN.
On Sunday 31st of July, we celebrate the African Women's Day, what do you think has been achieved in Africa in regards to gender issues?
The most important achievement with regards to African women's rights is that the voices of African women are heard all over the world. For a time, we were marginalised due to tradition, national and customary law. We are told that as women we should not raise our voice, and that our place is to stay at home and care for the family. Women in Africa are told that they need to keep quiet, just eat and drink and care for the family. They were not allowed to be independent financially. I believe that it is important for a woman to be independent and I think to be independent financially, women need to be educated. This is why I always say education is the most important thing we need in Africa with regard to women’s empowerment. If the woman is educated she knows her rights and she will be able to raise her voice and combine it with other women voices around the world. I think that the breakthrough of technology is one of the advantages women
have as a tool to claim their rights. Technology plays an important role in the struggle of women rights. Thanks to technology, women have the capacity to make themselves heard and to work with other women'sorganisations around the world to discuss their experiences. Now, women are talking loudly, which was not allowed in the past. Now for the first time in Africa, we have a woman who is a leader in her country. In may other countries in Africa, women are taking on top jobs.
In October 2010, the AU launched the African Women's Decade, what do you think this decade
represents to African women?
This decade is very important for African women. For the first time, the African governments have come together to dedicate a decade to African women that puts women at the centre of every initiative that African countries will undertake over the next 10 years. I think if we could achieve by 2020 the 50/50 quota it would be a great success. I noticed that many women in different African countries are working hard to achieve that. Especially when I see young women like you, in a foreign country working to promote women's empowerment in Africa. We need to work together, all African women and the Diaspora, to make this decade a success so that when we look back after 10 years, we feel proud for what we have achieved.
In 2003, the African Union adopted the Maputo protocol but so far, only 31 countries have ratified the protocol. Why do you think it is taking so long for African countries to ratify the Maputo Protocol?
I think that the reason behind this is that most African Governments are not very much to uphold women's rights and of course we have the problem of the governance. Most African Governments, or those who are on top, do not believe in democracy or human rights. So it is not easy to make them understand why they need to promote women's empowerment and rights.. We are human and this is our right, but the change happening at the moment in the Arab world and in North Africa will bring change to women's rights in Africa in the very near future. I don't know how long it will take but one day, it will come through. I think, For two things, first, a government that doesn't believe in democracy and human rights will be removed from power by their own population. Secondly, women, not only in Africa, but all over the world are now awakening and they are fighting for their rights. The outcome is that one-day women will enjoy their full rights as human being.
What are the most pressing issues for women in Africa and what are the primary actions to take in
response to these issues?
To answer this question, I would like to mention an example from a research I carried out in the Nuba Mountains in Sudan. I found out that there is a large difference in education between men and women. Men outnumber women at school because most parents prefer investing in boys’ education rather than girls. In order for women to take their right place in the society, we need to educate the younger generation who are going to be the future agents of change. Education is the most important thing African women need. We need to educate and raise awareness of women's rights in our community. Without education, we will not win the battle of gender equality in Africa.
How can we make sure young women have their place in the women's rights movements in Africa?
Thanks god that now the world has become a small village. When you find women who have the same thoughts, they will help. African women who are working in the fields of women's rights, they should make sure that the younger generation is part of their work. They need to train those who will be the future leaders of tomorrow. Without the participation of young women, our fight is bound to fail. Younger women are our future. We need to make sure that they receive adequate training, tools and resources to empower themselves. We need to support young women in their efforts to achieve women’s rights and tackle global challenges
Why do you think Africa countries are lagging behind on upholding women's rights?
In the past, men used to take up the though job. They used to go hunting and bring food for his family. They were the bread-winners. Women, on the other hand, have to prepare and take care of the house. However, things have changed today. Women are doing the same jobs as men, which is making them financially independent. Men often feel threatened when women compete with them. They want women to stay at home and to look after the children. But today, women are standing up for their rights and fighting to be treated as equals.
What is your message to African women?
All I would tell to African women is to be proud of themselves. I have been to many countries and I have met many women, but I have never seen women who are dedicated to their cause like the African women. I would tell to all African women to never lose hope. We need to work together to bring peace to Africa.
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