Woman on trial for wearing trousers in Sudan

Dozens of Sudanese women were protesting outside a court in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, today ahead of the trial of a female journalist for wearing trousers in public – a violation of the African country’s strict Islamic laws.

Some of the protesters wore trousers in solidarity with Lubna Hussein, who faces 40 lashes on the charge of “indecent dressing”.

Hussein was among 13 women arrested in a raid by public order police on a popular cafe on July 3.

Ten were flogged at a police station two days later, but Hussein and two others decided to go on trial.

Hussein told reporters she expected a swift sentence and that the court was unlikely to allow an appeal. She said she was “ready for what may come”.