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Women in Sudan have had limited freedom for a long time. But after women played a leading role in the 2019 revolution, which led to the fall of dictator Omar al-Bashir, the position of women has been strengthened in the country.
The country’s transitional government also promised to prioritize women’s rights.
And now comes a ban that will cheer up the country’s human rights activists.
“New era”
In Sudan, according to UN figures, 90 percent of all women have suffered genital mutilation.
But after the new law change, the person who performs the genital mutilation is punished with up to three years in prison.
“Sudan has really entered a new era for girls’ rights with the criminalization of genital mutilation. What a fantastic day for my sisters and the future of Africa, tweeted Nimco Ali, founder of The Five Foundation coalition, which fights genital mutilation.
Deterrent factor
The transitional government had already repealed laws that restricted women’s freedom, such as working and studying.
The ban on wearing pants has also been lifted, as has the requirement to cover hair in public.
But despite the joy of the new law, organizations now warn that it can be difficult to implement.
– A law against female genital mutilation can act as an important deterrent. But Sudan may have difficulty ensuring compliance. People who still believe in the custom may not report cases or act to stop female genital mutilation when they know it’s happening, says Faiza Mohamed, director of Equality for Africa, a global organization working for girls’ rights and women.
