A Saudi Arabian court has sentenced Esther Wanja Muthoni, a Kenyan domestic worker, to 100 lashes after she gave birth to a child outside of marriage. Under the kingdom's Sharia law, sexual relations outside of wedlock constitute a criminal offense.

Details of the Verdict

According to a report by The New York Times, Muthoni was convicted in October after giving birth to a son in Saudi Arabia. The report also noted that she did not have a lawyer representing her during the legal proceedings.

Background of the Case

Muthoni stated that she became pregnant following a relationship with an Egyptian national, who left Saudi Arabia before the child was born. In many such cases, women in Saudi Arabia resort to giving birth secretly at home to avoid arrest. However, Muthoni's situation came to light after she was admitted to a hospital due to illness. Hospitals in the country are mandated to report unmarried mothers to the police.

Human Rights Condemnation

Several human rights organizations have denounced the punishment as an act of "violence" against women, arguing that such sentencing contravenes international human rights standards and undermines the dignity of women.