English
Egyptian feminists and activists of women’s rights have long been struggling for a more justifiable and fair societal status women in the society. At present, there is almost no industry or business vertical into which the women of Egypt have not entered and proving their mettle; irrespective of this, the social status of women in Egypt continues to be prejudiced when compared to that of the social status enjoyed by men. And while there are a plethora of aspects that can be regarded as the reasons behind the prevalent gender gap, male-dominated organizations have unrelentingly been relegating the concerns voiced by women as something of very low priority, and have been hindering the progress of women within the Egyptian society.
The recent public sermon in Egypt is largely regarded of being controlled and conquered by the traditionalist discourses of the Islamists. Besides, it is also strongly believed that the state, in its endeavor to support the Islamists, has subordinated the numerous women related issues to its own trepidations concerning security and rightfulness. Advancement towards gender equality is being extensively compromised by the indecisive and uncertain commitment of the state regarding the cause of women in union with the increasing Islamist influence. “Repeated appeals urging women to retreat to the private sphere and the appearance of the Islamic attire (al-ziy al-Islami) reflect the blurring of boundaries between the ‘secular’ and the ‘religious.’” Quite a few women’s rights activists and feminists contend that this portends to contradict several of the gains attained by Egyptian women during the course of the past century. I have chosen this topic because it is an issue that i have to deal with since I am an Egyptian woman, i see that women here are treated unfairly and that this is an issue that should be searched an understood in order to know why these attempts have not worked. I want to know why sexual harassment is not ending. What is missing? To me, this is interesting because there seems to be a missing piece to the puzzle, that if found; could have profound impacts on Egypt and its social status.
As the entire globe focuses on the various political developments happening all over, violence against women remains persistent and relentless. This particular issue of violence against women got into the spotlight with the recent attacks against women activists at Tahrir Square. Hitherto, sexual harassment and physical attack is an enduring and universal issue in Egypt even today, which is offering significant obstacles to the participation of women in the public life. Such kinds of offences are encountered with almost complete freedom. The various successive governments in Egypt have not been successful in addressing the issue of violence against women, which has some serious repercussions for the participation of women in the political shift that the country is currently experience. The focus of this essay on the harassment that women in Egypt continue to face, even in the wake of the revolutionary shift that is taking place in the nation in terms of its political structure.
With the accessibility of technology and the recent media attention given to the country because of the revolutions, this is all beginning to chance. The horrendous treatment of women in Egypt is becoming well known and activist groups are working to put an end to it. They are finding success, as well. In June of 2014, the country passed its first set of legislation that criminalized harassment. This step is small, however. Much more action needs to be taken including a strong stance by the government to ensure that the violence in the culture stops. The challenge is that the behavior is deeply ingrained in the culture and it is a commonly shared idea that rape is the responsibility of both parties involved, not simply of the assaulter. Women's rights groups are actively seeking to change this and other patriarchal mindsets that prevent women from feeling secure in their own countries.
Responsibility is just what the United Nations is attempting to spread. In a report printed in 2010, UN Women outlines the specifics of sexual assault in Egypt in their booklet, Study on Ways and Methods to Eliminate Sexual Harassment in Egypt: Results/ Outcomes and Recommendations Summary. The report takes the various parts of the country and provides demographic information for each region. That information is then broken down with the frequency of the crime in that area, where the crime usually happens, the market or the beach, for example, and the most common demographic information for the person harassing. For example, the highest percentages of men who commit sexual harassment are between the ages of 19 and 24. The report is designed to increase awareness of the problem. Most women see it as an issue that has risen in prevalence since the time of the revolution and most women claim that they do not feel safe in public spaces. The report provides advice for women in the country of ways to protect themselves from such treatment, citing defenses like knives and other sharp objects. The report, which is printed in accessible info graphics, was published before recent legislation passed, so it lacks information regarding who in the legal system can be of service.
The emergency laws continued almost continuously in the Mubarak regime and this served as a basis for detention and trials. This was much decried by the international human rights organization - Amnesty International many a time. Torture and brutality was routinely applied. The Egyptian Organization for Human Rights has recorded more than 700 cases of torture in Police Stations 1985 and 2011. It is reported that 204 people were killed as a result of this. Freedom of Speech and free assembly was extremely limited during the Hosni Mubarak regime. There was severe press censorship. Criticism of rule or the President was not tolerated. Possibly a hand me down from the age of Pharaohs!
There are a number of evidences in the history of Egypt that depict the continuing harassments against women. A Seminar on Sexual Harassment and Egypt's Tourist Industry, conducted by Egypt’s leading women's rights groups was conducted for creating awareness and educating the people about the impact of sexual discrimination in an effort to shift people's focus. The seminar concluded that Egypt was a conflicted state that stood on the precipice of a major change. It was considered a success. The idea behind the seminar itself is admirable. The public must be educated on the need for women's rights. However, the need to frame the argument into something other than inherent equality between the sexes and respect for respect's sake belies a larger problem in the country. Women are not yet viewed as equals.
There are also many newspaper reports that have been continually reporting about the persistent sexual harassment against Egyptian women in various forms. Human Rights Watch had published numerous such incidents. The article provides several telling statistics about the severity, noting that 900 women have been reported to be raped in a three year time span.
While there have been recent changes in legislation, it is not proactive enough. The old law had a very narrow definition of rape and harassment and did not impose a very strict penalty. This has since changed. The definition has broadened and the fines stiffened. This adjustment is a step in the right direction, the Human Rights Watch notes, but actions taken often are not fast enough. Apart from just offering tales about various such harassments against women, Human Rights Watch also suggested a variety of measures that might possibly help in minimizing the rates of these kinds of crimes against women. According to Human Rights Watch, there is an imminent need for more definite action against harassment in Egypt. Sexual harassment in the country is a major issue. It was also suggested that using the United Nation's handbook for legislation regarding harassment to help address the issue. The Human Rights Watch implies that punishment for the crime is slow, which enables the problem to persist. If the people harassing the women do not see the government taking the law seriously, they are not likely to do so themselves.
Another study conducted by Am Elnasher, et. al., revealed startling facts about the degree and recurrence of sexual dysfunction in Egyptian women. The objective of this study is to assess the level of sexual dysfunction in Egypt. One thousand women between the ages of 16 and 49 were surveyed in the hospital and, in some cases, given a physical examination.
Out of the 1000 people questioned, over 900 responded. Around 600 reported some form of sexual issue-- 200 of whom found it to be a problem. The sexual issues were spread across a wide range of issues starting from lack of arousal, to anger and hatred toward the partner, incapability to sustain an orgasm, low levels of sexual arousal, as well as painful intercourse, or dyspareunia. Hardly few women who were dealing with sexual issues went in for treatment and, out of the few women who sought treatment for these problems, reported negligible or zero improvement in their condition. This prevalence indicates that sexual dysfunction is a major issue in the lower part of Egypt. The study also had presented cultural factors as one of the key contributors to the lack of concern for women and also for their condition and unwillingness and hesitation to go in for treatment. It is possibly that the same cultural factors that lead the women to hide or accept their sexual dysfunction are also influencing the lack of legal action and responsibility regarding harassment in the country at large.
Numerous women’s rights groups and activists have been constantly striving and are continuing to strive for the improvement of the condition of women in Egypt. A study conducted by New Women Foundation had presented a report, which is precisely an overview about the kind of violence occurring within the nation, the motives and causes behind such violence and possible suggestion that might help mitigate such kind of a violent behavior. The report states that violence often comes in a public forum against women who are protesting. There are numerous accounts of sexual harassment and sexual assault and examples of the state’s disinclination and reluctance to act against such kind of crimes. Generation of the report was fueled by the widespread violence in Tahrir Square after the removal of President Morsi. There was increasing inequality, increased poverty, poor social security and millions of subjects were in abject poverty. This led to social violence. The forced neo-liberalization disbanded the protections. It led to disbanding of the healthcare system. There were minimal social services available. Many of the state owned industries were privatized. Food subsidies were decreased by more than 50%. Job security and stability reduced and social standards deteriorated.
The news regarding sexual harassment in Egypt is shocking. Even more harrowing is the fact that, despite the widespread issue, that so little action is being taken to remedy the horrors and violence being committed against women, like public gang rape. Yet, the growing media attention off late, which was more a consequence of the incessant revolution has, brought the issue of sexual harassment against women in to the limelight. While the truth may be upsetting, it is this growing media attention that is expected to change the situation because it increases public awareness. It is because of victims speaking out to the public in the international arena that legislation of this kind is being enacted and proactive steps are finally being taken to change the political climate in regard to gender in a country that has a long history of patriarchy. Eventually, the nation is leaving behind the traditional practices like a forced virginity test upon woman, which is said to safeguard the women victims, but, in reality, serves to safeguard those committing the crime rather.
Works Cited
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