Saving Amina Campaign

Senator Natasha Stott Despoja and marie claire editor, Jackie Frank presented to the High Commissioner for Nigeria, His Excellency Dr Rufai A O Soule, in Canberra recently almost 5,000 petitions from Australian women pleading to save Amina Lawal who has been sentenced to death by stoning.

His Excellency, Dr Rufai A O Soule was happy to receive the petitions and commended the efforts of Australian women to save Amina.

In this interview we spoke with editor of marie claire Jackie Frank.

How did you first hear of Amina's plight and what were your first thoughts?

Jackie: At marie claire we constantly monitor women's issues around the world. In May this year we ran an article on a Nigerian women who had been sentenced to death by stoning so it was an issue that we were already very well-versed on. When we heard of Amina's plight, we knew our readers would want to do something concrete.

How did it come about that you and Natasha Stott Despoja joined forces?

Jackie: Natasha spoke at our first What Women Want Forum in 2001 and then again in August this year, just after she resigned as leader she was one of the key speakers at our second televised forum on Channel Ten.

Were you surprised at the response from the Australian public, particularly Australian women?

Jackie: I was moved by the overwhelming response to the campaign from marie claire readers around Australia. It's wonderful to see so many Australian women using marie claire as a vehicle through which they can voice their concerns.

Were you aware that there was also email campaigns circulating to sign 'online' petitions to save Amina?

Jackie: I did hear that some marie claire readers had set up online petitions and we received quite a few petitions which had been signed individually by many concerned women. The plight of Amina really touched a chord with the Australian public.

How did you feel when you were face to face with His Excellency, Dr Rufai A O Soule? Was there anything in particular that you would have liked to say to him?

Jackie: It was a pleasure to meet Dr Soule in Canberra. He was extremely positive about the overwhelming response from our readers and was very happy to receive the petitions on behalf of the Nigerian government. He said he felt the Australian public, and particularly Australian women, were doing a great job in drawing attention to the plight of Amina and her child. And he told us he was sure that with this kind of pressure, Amina would be saved.

When do you expect to hear about the outcome of Amina's sentencing?

Jackie: Dr Soule assured me Amina would not be stoned. At the moment, Amina is still awaiting a date for her appeal before sharia court at state level. Dr Soule said it would take time to revoke the law that saw Amina sentenced to death, but he is very confident that such harsh sentencing laws would be reduced imminently.

What else can people do to support this and other causes?

Jackie: marie claire has always been active in running campaigns which our readers can become involved in. We have just introduced into the magazine a monthly page which follows up on various campaigns and articles we have run and that is a great way for Australian women to keep in touch with important issues around the world. We also have some very important campaigns coming up in the magazine this year and there will be genuine opportunities for women to do something that will make a difference to our world.


- Michelle Palmer