Rana Husseini

A journalist and activist who documented honor killings in Jordan and the Middle East, leading to legal reforms and increased awareness.

Rana Husseini is a Jordanian journalist and human rights advocate whose 30-year campaign against honor killings has reshaped regional policies. Starting in 1994, she meticulously documented over 300 cases of honor killings in Jordan through her New York Times reporting and her seminal book (كتابها) «كتاب عن قتل الشرف», exposing the cultural roots and legal loopholes enabling these crimes. Her relentless advocacy pressured Jordan’s parliament to remove a 2000 law allowing reduced sentences for honor crime perpetrators, a victory solidified in 2021 when mandatory life sentences were enacted. Husseini’s No to Violence campaign trains police and judges to handle cases sensitively, while her collaboration with UN Women extends her impact across the Arab world. A 2023 BBC documentary chronicled her work, and her TED Talk "Fighting Honor Killings One Story at a Time" has over 1.5 million views. Her LinkedIn profile (link) tracks her 2024 partnership with Qatar University to develop regional anti-violence curricula. Despite threats, Husseini remains a vocal voice in redefining gender justice in conservative societies.