Egyptian women reject rape blame

Egyptian Women’s rights groups are pushing back against the blame placed on them by some Islamists for the rise in sexual harassment. The country has experienced a surge in the number of women reporting sexual violence and harassment since the revolution – with the women taking the blame for the assaults committed against them. Under the Muslim Brotherhood regime, Egyptian society is growing increasingly conservative and patriarchal. Prominent political Salafists in Egypt have openly placed victims at fault for dressing inappropriately, or courting trouble just by being in public. Dalia Ziada, an Egyptian human rights activist, says the situation for women was much better during the Mubarak era. Speaking to ANSAMed she said: “Now we have a regime which is very hostile to women, an extremist regime of the Muslim Brotherhood which doesn't like women, least of all in public life and the economy." Mohammed Morsi’s government has attempted to detach itself from these extremists’ statements, with the President launching an initiative to further and protect women’s rights in Egypt. But many activists feel his actions only pay lip-service, following the Muslim Brotherhood’s latest rejection of a proposed UN announcement condemning violence against women. Women’s rights groups feel that Morsi’s background of fundamental Islam is out of touch with Egyptian traditions. Speaking to Voice of America (VOA), director of the Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights, Nihad Abo el-Komsn said: “We have lots of open-minded sheikhs who teach us about Islam and women, and we do not find any controversy between women’s rights and lots of interpretations of Islam,” said Nehad Abo el Komsan, director of the Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights.” She told VOA that political leaders are diverting attention away from the failing economy by focusing on curbing women’s rights, but women are being to see through this tactic and fighting back. “They start to understand that we want you [the government] to solve our problems, not to talk about a woman’s veil, or a woman’s niqab, or a woman’s body.  And we want for you to have job opportunities for all,” she added. Sources: VOA and ANSAMed