Grab and Keel

Each year the Center for Women’s Global Leadership at Rutgers highlights sixteen women, men and organizations that standout in the fight against gender violence. Representing November 29^th, is:

Asma Khader

Sisterhood Is Global Institute- Jordan

Amman, Jordan

Lawyer and Human Rights Activist

Asma has spent her career as a lawyer advocating on behalf of women, especially combating violence against women and organizing for women’s legal literacy. She was elected to the Permanent Arab Court as Counsel on Violence Against Women in 1996 and has served as judge and chairperson for many judicial bodies. Working with victims of honor crimes, she realized “that I could not be an effective lawyer if I did not do my best to change laws that cover up and even sanction crimes against women”. As a lawyer and human rights activist, Asma has become one of the leaders in a campaign to end honor crimes. She is the General Coordinator of Sisterhood is Global Institute – Jordan and Secretary General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women.

http://www.cwgl.rutgers.edu/16days/kit08/exhibit/khader.html

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, “Towards National Participatory Planning to Combat Violence against Women”,  was inaugurated in Jordan by HRH Princess Basma. The Jordanian National Commission for Women (JNCW) is intregal to the drive.

As Secretary General of the JNCW Khader spoke yesterday, the 28th:

[…In her opening address, JNCW Secretary General Asma Khader said it was time to work with legislators and the government to draft laws that protect women from violence and toughen penalties for perpetrators of such crimes.

“We also expect our distinguished judiciary branch to ensure justice for women who are victims of violence and apply the rule of law,” she added.

As it stands now, some defendants who murder their female relatives in the name of family honour could get a minimum of six months in prison if the court decides to invoke Article 98 of the Penal Code, which stipulates a minimum of three months and a maximum of two years in prison for a murder that is committed in a fit of fury caused by an unlawful act on the part of the victim….]

As of this date Khader does not have an english link in Wikipedia.

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