Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
October 14, 2003
Women’s rights activist to deliver annual Hopper Lecture
An international women’s rights activist who headed the first Gender Institute in Africa will deliver the 11th Hopper Lecture on International Development Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m.
Ayesha Imam, a core group member of the international solidarity network Women Living Under Muslim Laws, will speak on “Gender, Culture and Muslim Laws” in Room 113 of the MacNaughton Building. The event is free and open to the public.
Born in Kano, Nigeria, Imam has co-ordinated research in eight African and Middle Eastern countries on the ways in which different systems of laws and social practices structure women’s lives. She has lectured, written and conducted research on sociology, anthropology, women's studies and gender analysis at universities and research institutes in Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Canada and Senegal.
Imam was director of the first Gender Institute in Africa, which brings together young researchers from across the continent annually and introduces them to gender critiques, methodology and research. She is also the founding director of BAOBAB for Women's Human Rights in Nigeria, which undertakes research, advocacy and education to protect and develop women's legal rights issues under customary, secular and religious laws. In 2002, she received the John Humphrey Human Rights Award for the work that she and BAOBAB do to protect women’s rights under the new Sharia Criminal Law Act in Nigeria. In addition, she is a board member of the International Council on Human Rights Policy.
Imam will also be on campus Oct. 20 meeting with U of G students and faculty. For more information, contact Isobel Lander, Centre for International Programs, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56904.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
