This year, through online actions Helen has stood with Noura in Sudan, the detained women’s rights defenders in Saudi Arabia, and women working for equal nationality rights in Kuwait. It’s just one aspect of the activism that defines her life.
We spoke to her about what activism means to her.
What inspires you to do the work you do?
Every action, no matter how small, can make a difference. Taking action gives me hope for change and a better future.
What was the turning point which made you become an activist?
I don’t think there was any single factor. It’s a part of who I am. Activism is a part of all aspects of life including how we relate to each other on a daily basis. The personal and political are intertwined.
What is your hope for the future?
My hope is for a world where resources are more equitably shared so that everyone has shelter, enough to eat, access to justice, and equal opportunities in life in line with human rights principles. The natural world should be valued and sustained.
What is one thing others can do to make change?
Be informed and don’t underestimate any contribution whether signing a petition or sharing information with friends and colleagues through personal contact or social media.
In three words, what are you most looking forward to in 2019?
Hope, positivity, and change.
The everyday activism of people like Helen has helped Equality Now to huge victories in 2018. From the quashing of Noura’s death sentence in Sudan to introducing new online trafficking legislation in the United States, it is important that we never underestimate the impact of every action no matter how seemingly small.