Loujain AlHathloul is one of the leaders in the Saudi Women’s Rights movement, reshaping the process of mass collective consciousness-raising and developing a fully articulated understanding of women’s varying social positions. She was a main voice in the movements “Together We Stand to End Male Guardianship of Women” and “Women Demand the Overthrow of Guardianship” raising awareness online and sharing information. She conducted a “driving campaign” where she and other advocates took pictures of themselves driving in the streets of Saudi Arabia in defiance of the driving ban. As part of a working group, she established a shelter for women escaping domestic violence that not only provided a place to go but helped them integrate back into society.

Loujain has done this at great cost to herself and her well-being. Loujain never used a pseudonym, a current practice to avoid reprisal. She preferred to be visible so girls and women could identify themselves in her and follow her demand for social change. For her efforts, Loujain has been arrested three times.

Loujain AlHathloul was arrested for the third time on 15 May 2018 and is still being unlawfully held in prison without access to a fair trial. Numerous international organisations have called for her immediate and unconditional release. For her activism, Loujain has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and was awarded the French Freedom Prize, the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize, Magnitsky Human Rights Award, TIME 100 among many other international awards (for a full list of all of Loujain’s awards please click here).