‘Walk like an Egyptian woman’ rally to hit Cairo
The event has already attracted over 13,000 Facebook users who say they'll participate in the anti-sexual harassment protest
Following accounts of sexual harassment in Egypt's Tahrir Square earlier this week, during the inauguration of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a group of Egyptian women will rally on Saturday.
The event titled "Walk like an Egyptian Woman" – has already attracted over 13,000 Facebook users who say they'll participate in the anti-sexual harassment protest, according to Ahram Online.
Dina El-Shebba, the event's organizer, wrote on the Facebook page:
"So if in India people protested against the gang rape of two girls, [then this] is the least we can do for the woman that was raped in Tahrir today along with all the Egyptian women who are subjected to violence every day."
Shebba's comments refer to last month's news of the gang-rape and murder of two young girls, aged 12 and 14, in the north Indian state of Uttar Prudesh, which drew widespread condemnation.
On Tuesday, Sisi ordered his interior minister to do whatever it takes to combat sexual harassment and called for the decisive implementation of a new law that punishes convicted harassers with up to five years in prison, Ehab Badawi, a presidential spokesman told the Associated Press.
Also read: Seven arrested after Egypt sex assault video
Video: Disturbing sexual harassment scene in Cairo’s Tahrir square
The statement came after a series of sexual assaults on women during celebrations marking Sisi's inauguration, including a mass attack on a mother and her teenage daughter.
Sisi also instructed Interior Minister Mohammed Ibrahim to honor a policeman who came to the teenager's rescue, Badawi added.
On Monday, the Egyptian interior ministry said police had arrested seven men aged 16 to 49 as “they had (sexually) harassed a number of girls during the celebrations in the Tahrir area.”
Last week, outgoing interim President Adly Mansour signed a law criminalizing sexual harassment. Those found guilty of the offence now face large fines and long jail terms.
-
Sisi weighs in on sexual harassment after assaults
Egypt's new president called for decisive implementation of a new law that punishes convicted harassers Middle East -
Egyptian presenter recklessly reacts to sexual harassment scandal in Tahrir
An Egyptian presenter triggered outrage among social media users on Tuesday over her reaction to a case of sexual assault against a woman in ... Reports -
Video: disturbing sexual harassment scene in Cairo’s Tahrir square
Egyptian police have arrested seven men for sexually assaulting women at celebrations marking President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi’s inauguration, ... Reports -
Egypt criminalizes sexual harassment
Sexual offenders face up to five years in prison under a new decree issued by outgoing President Adly Mansour Middle East -
Erdogan calls CNN reporter ‘agent’ for his coverage of protests
Erdogan calls Ivan Watson a 'flunky' and an 'agent' for his coverage of anti-government protests days after police harassed him Television & Radio -
Egyptian women’s council launches anti-sexual harassment campaign
The campaign will also feature workshops aimed at men Art and culture -
Egypt sets out law on sexual harassment
Proposed legislation would be the first to specifically define harassment, amid alarming rise of sexual assaults on women Middle East