Sexual Harassment of Women is State Sponsored Say Egyptian Women

1/

2/

Systematic attacks targeting female protesters in Tahrir square have forced an ugly epidemic into the national spotlight. Over a dozen women were gang raped and violently assaulted during the January 25th anniversary, leaving at least one woman in serious condition after being penetrated by a knife. The brutality of the attacks has enraged Egyptian women to stage protests throughout the country. The savage nature of the mob assaults has convinced many the organized mobs are tools of state sponsored repression, aimed at threatening women off the street protests. Attacks signaling out female protesters has escalated over the past year, as Tahrir square became increasingly dangerous for women. Protesters also blame a system that condones and perpetuates violence against women.

Amnesty International released a report detailing the assaults and called on the Morsi government to go after and prosecute those involved. On January 25th alone, close to 20 women were swept into hordes of ravenous packs of men. Inside the mob, the women were gang raped, relentless groped, beaten, had their clothes torn off, and in some cases were penetrated with knives and metal rods. Activists and human rights groups are working to keep the subject in the national spotlight after some survivors of the attack described their attack on national television. Daily sexual harassment has been prevalent throughout Egypt for years. Recent study reports found 83% of Egyptian women and 95% of foreign women have experienced sexual harassment. However, in this socially conservative society, the subject is often considered a taboo. Women who speak out are often blamed for the attack while the perpetrator is let off. 

Ahmed Nagy and Sheren Ahmed contributed to this report (therealnews)

Home