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Award to Wajeha Al-Huwaider & Black Ribbon Campaign |
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Lundi, 07 Décembre 2009 02:38 |
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On Thursday, December 3, 2009, the Al Waref Institute had the honor and privilege to present in person an award to Saudi human rights activist Wajeha Al-Huwaider.
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Wajeha Al-Huwaider has taken large steps in the name of human rights and women’s rights, working against the institutions and social structures that have been designed to silence her voice. On December 3 during her recent visit to Washington DC, she gave a lecture at Georgetown University, providing an overview of the oppressive women's rights situation in Saudi Arabia and the historical background that led to that condition.
 At the conclusion of the lecture, Marah Bukai, founder and president of Al Waref Institute, presented an award to Wajeha Al-Huwaider as Al Waref's Figure of the Month for December in recognition of her bold advocacy for human rights. Ms. Bukai also announced Al Waref Institute's partnership with Ms. Al-Huwaider in promoting the Black Ribbon Campaign for Saudi women's rights.
The campaign has three goals: that Saudi women be able to represent themselves when interacting with official and government agencies without a male guardian; that Saudi women be treated as citizens equal to Saudi men; and that Saudi women be allowed to enjoy the rights and privileges that are currently restricted, including the rights to travel, work, study, inherit, gain custody of children, marry, divorce, and drive cars.
Saudi women activists appeal to people both inside and outside Saudia Arabia who support Saudi women’s rights to participate in the campaign by wearing a black ribbon on their wrists as a symbolic and peaceful gesture of their advocacy to Saudi women’s rights.
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