On Friday, Amnesty International reported the stoning death of a 13 year-old-girl in Somalia (map credit here). According to Amnesty, a group of approximately 50 men stoned Aisha Ibrahim Duhulow to death in a stadium with about 1000 spectators. Duhulow had apparently been raped by three men and reported the rape to the armed opposition group in Kismayo. Rather than investigate the rape, members of the al-Shabab militia accused Duhulow of adultery, detained her, and executed her.
In 2003, the international women’s human rights community mobilized to stop the stoning death of a Nigerian woman, Amina Lawal, who was accused of adultery under Islamic law. Lawal was convicted of adultery in March 2002, but the Katsina State Shariah Court of Appeals overturned the conviction on September 26, 2003.
Although the details vary, these stories represent modern, violent community-based efforts to control women’s sexuality. And the stories are replicated all over the world. From the domestic violence victim in the United States whose partner beats her whenever she speaks to another man to the rape victim accused of adultery in Somalia, the narrative is similar. Women’s sexuality is seen as a threat not only to morality but, more importantly, to male power as well.
The international movement to combat violence against women offers some hope. In only a decade and a half, the international movement to end gender-based violence has gained momentum and enjoyed some limited success. But to have widespread impact, the movement will need to confront deeply held beliefs – all around the world – that men may, indeed should, control women’s sexuality. Despite the early successes of the anti-violence movement, the pace of real cultural reform is painstakingly slow, and Duhulow’s story serves as a heart wrenching reminder of the task ahead.
In 2003, the international women’s human rights community mobilized to stop the stoning death of a Nigerian woman, Amina Lawal, who was accused of adultery under Islamic law. Lawal was convicted of adultery in March 2002, but the Katsina State Shariah Court of Appeals overturned the conviction on September 26, 2003.
Although the details vary, these stories represent modern, violent community-based efforts to control women’s sexuality. And the stories are replicated all over the world. From the domestic violence victim in the United States whose partner beats her whenever she speaks to another man to the rape victim accused of adultery in Somalia, the narrative is similar. Women’s sexuality is seen as a threat not only to morality but, more importantly, to male power as well.
The international movement to combat violence against women offers some hope. In only a decade and a half, the international movement to end gender-based violence has gained momentum and enjoyed some limited success. But to have widespread impact, the movement will need to confront deeply held beliefs – all around the world – that men may, indeed should, control women’s sexuality. Despite the early successes of the anti-violence movement, the pace of real cultural reform is painstakingly slow, and Duhulow’s story serves as a heart wrenching reminder of the task ahead.
