Cracking down on sexual harassment in Egypt?
Sisi’s government under huge pressure to combat growing sexual violence.
On Saturday, people staged a protest against sexual harrassment in Cairo. It was in reaction to unprecedented public outrage towards sexual attacks against women. One such assault took place in Tahrir Square the night supporters of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi celebrated his election victory.
The decision by the government to set up a committee to deal with the issue did not seem to appease people. Sisi also instructed the interior minister to adopt a zero tolerance approach towards offenders.
Sexual harrassment is a major problem in Egypt. The UN estimates that a staggering 99 pecent of all Egyptian women have experienced some form of sexual harrassment.
Days before leaving office, the interim president, Adly Mansour, approved a law punishing those accused of sexual harrassment.
But are laws alone enough to curb sexual violence in Egypt? Or is a more comprehensive approach needed?
Presenter: Mike Hanna
Guests:
Shahira Amin, Egypt contributor to Index on Censorship
Ayat Oraby, editor in chief of Noon El Neswa, the first Arab American women’s magazine published in the US