HR’s strange side: Dress code on steroids — 40 lashes for wearing slacks
August 5, 2009 by Jim GiulianoPosted in: Behavior, In this week's e-newsletter, Latest News & Views, policies
A woman in Sudan is contesting that country’s dress codes, which call for her to receive 40 lashes for wearing slacks in public.
Lubna Hussein, a former journalist who works for the United Nations, attended a hearing over the matter wearing the same green slacks that got her arrested for “immodest dress.”
Indecency cases are not uncommon in Sudan, but lawyers began by arguing whether her status as a U.N. employee gives her legal immunity.
Lubna Hussein is having none of that immunity stuff. She wants to fully contest the law. Her lawyer, Nabil Adib Abdalla, said Hussein has agreed to resign from the United Nations in time for the next court session – to make sure the case continues and she isn’t let off on the technicality of being a U.N. worker.
“First of all she wants to show she is totally innocent, and using her immunity will not prove that,” Abdalla told reporters. “Second she wants to fight the law … This is turning into a test case.”
At an early hearing, journalists got into a shoving match with armed police outside the courtroom, and dozens of women, some wearing slacks and jeans, attended the case. Some waved small placards with the slogan “Lashing people is against human rights.”
The trial was also attended by representatives of the embassies of France, Canada, Sweden and Spain, alongside politicians and members of the Sudanese Women’s Union.
Tags: Canada, France, Lubna Hussein, Spain, Sudanese Women's Union, Sweden, United Nations
August 5th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Wow!…good for her to fight this without using the U.N. as a source of immunity. I hope that after it is all said and done that she can get her job back.
August 7th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Thank goodness I live in the good old USA.
August 7th, 2009 at 11:15 am
What a brave, strong woman to be willing to be the one to stand up for her rights in this situation! I hope she wins!
August 7th, 2009 at 11:25 am
She chose to flaunt the law and was called to task for it. Instead of accepting her punishment, she chooses to flaunt even more. I have a feeling that this will end up with Lubna taking her lashes. It might be for the best as then she can be a matyr to the cause and really start getting people to question such laws.
As for those who feel lashing is agains human rights…the only thing I have to say is to go take a walk down a back alley in New York or Chicago around midnight…maybe they will change there mind when someone beats the crap out of them.
August 7th, 2009 at 11:37 am
Why is this any different than US, Canadian, French, Sweden & Spain laws that do not allow women to go topless in public. We dont lash them, but we do fine them and send them to jail. I may have mis spoke. I believe Windsor Canada does allow women to go topless in public. But non the less it isnt a federal law giving them that right.
August 7th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
I think Albert is way off base. I’m glad Rosa Parks “flaunted” the segregation laws. I don’t think that this woman should “accept her punishment” for doing something that did not deserve punishment. “Well behaved women rarely make history”.
August 10th, 2009 at 8:23 am
Albert, there is a difference in lashing someone who causes bodily harm to another and lashing someone for what they are wearing. Wow!
The only question I have is, what is the men’s dress code??? Or is this a double-standard like I suspect.
August 10th, 2009 at 11:07 am
First question: Do men share the same dress code as women? If not, then discrimination is the issue.
Also, was dress code policy shared with her upon hire? Did she sign an agreement to this effect?
The issue stems from the culture and policies of the organization – whether fair or unfair treatment is imposed.
Would You prefer the lashing to loosing your job? Interesting question.
August 10th, 2009 at 11:37 am
My wife fought this battle as secondary school teacher right here in the good old USA during the 1970-1971. She put her employment in peril and with a couple of other teachers wore slacks contrary to the school’s dress code that required skirts and blouses with jacket or dresses.
August 10th, 2009 at 11:53 am
Just because there is a current law in place not allowing women to wear slacks in public, does not make it right. I commend her for being a leader and not a follower.
August 10th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
You ask where is the men’s dress code?
My husband threatens to wear sandals and sleeveless shirts to work like his female coworkers do all summer. So far it’s just a threat but he does have a point. Why does he have to wear a “noose” around his neck everyday but the woman can adjust their style?
August 10th, 2009 at 2:16 pm
As an American woman, I am apalled at the requirements and penalties that are imposed on women in other countries. But keep in mind that we are talking about a woman in SUDAN. This is nothing like America and their idea of discrimantion (and appropriate dress) is very different than ours.
I commend her for taking a stand. And only hope that the consequences for doing so are not worse than the 40 lashes.
August 10th, 2009 at 4:26 pm
You don’t have to get up too early in the morning to realize that both Albert and Claire are way off base. JCE hits the nail on the head. Good for Lubna Hussein for standing up for what’s right and being willing to give up her job to avoid winning through a technicality. I admire her bravery.
August 12th, 2009 at 2:17 pm
As an RPCV who lived in Africa, at least I could say, Benin was fair. Apparently countries with high counts of strict Muslim laws make life difficult for women and they are more fundamentalist than moderate. Remember it was men who created these laws in the first place. Does Sudan have women in power in government or any other place?