EGYPT: Sexual harassment becoming a feast tradition?
Culling sheep for charity donations, spending time with families, going out for long walks in parks until early hours in the morning have all been signs of celebrating the Adha and Fitr holy feasts in Egypt, but another more troubling pastime has arisen in recent years: sexual harassment.
The Egyptian media reported that about 300 cases of sexual harassment against women occurred over the recent Adha holiday. The cases, which the Interior Ministry would not confirm or deny, varied from verbal taunts to assaults. Al Destour newspaper said the number of incidents was higher than what was reported during the Fitr feast in September.
Sexual harassment in Egyptian cities has become an disturbing phenomenon of late. It recently became associated with feast holidays, where thousands enjoy spending their free time outdoors. Younger generations face less-strict scrutiny from their parents, who tend to allow their daughters to go out without parental supervision during feasts. Police security is usually softer than it is throughout the rest of the year.
The biggest incident came during last year's Fitr, when 150 men and boys were arrested for going on a harassing spree in the streets of Mohandeseen in Cairo. A few of the defendants, who assaulted girls and cut their clothes, were taken to court and one was sentenced to a year in jail.
The number of harassment cases during the feasts echoes a study carried out by the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights (ECWR) last July, showing that 83% of Egyptian women and 98% of foreign females residing in the country reported being harassed.
Egypt's penal code sets imprisonment punishments for anyone who sexually assaults minors, but many assaulted women have seen their cases blocked as judges and prosecutors blamed similar incidents on the "provocative" way some girls are dressed. But the ECWR's study refutes such allegations, saying that 71.5% of women who reported sexual harassment were wearing veils (head scarves) and non-revealing clothes, and 19.6% of them were even wearing niqabs (face veils).
There are indications the courts are growing less tolerant of sexual harassment. In a landmark case in October 2008, a man was sentenced to three years of hard labor for reaching out his truck window and groping Noha Rushdi Saleh, a documentary filmmaker.
The harassment issue is believed to be related to some religious and economic aspects in Egypt. Premarital sex and dating are forbidden by the Islam, and with the country's tough financial times, millions can't afford to get married. Mistrust of the government and a sense of powerlessness has caused widespread disenchantment, especially for a young generation of men with limited opportunities.
"Our young boys don't have anything to fill their lives except TV and the internet. Now we have this problem of late marriage. When you combine it all, you will have social problems like harassment," says philosophy professor and former dean of Al Azhra University Amna Nosseir.
-- Amro Hassan in Cairo
Photo: Foreign women are particularly prone to sexual harassment in Egypt. Credit: Getty Images
As much as street harassment is despicable and the Egyptian society needs to work on it. It is very light version of sexual harassment.
Daily, egyptian women are suffering from the real sexual harassment and abuse in work places and homes. These types of harassment are more damaging than few words.
The media should start giving more focus on the more serious types of sexual harassments
Mohajer Masry
Posted by: Mohajer masry | December 02, 2009 at 06:42 AM
It appears the problem to confront is not sexual harassment, but the sexual harasser(s). As poet G.K. Chesterton once said, it is not that they can't see the solution, it is that they can't see the problem. Look again and you may see.
Posted by: barbara joan zeitz | December 02, 2009 at 06:09 AM
Sexual harassment is common in offices these days. It is a social evil. It can be rooted out if the law is enforced effectively.
http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2257792
Posted by: AcaiCleanse | December 02, 2009 at 01:53 AM
I think Egypt can learn a little something from the west coast especially Seattle on how to keep those aggressive testosterone filled guys at bay, and estrogen filled men in Seattle can learn from the guys in Cairo, keep the pendulum level.
In some uptight politically correct parts of Seattle a young dude can't even find a young lady attractive without her accusing him of being "inappropriate" (thats the intelect's word of choice). And if he asks her out on a date she'll probably call the cops on him for sexual harassment.
Once I worked w/ an attractive young gal in downtown by the Space Needle, her name was Ariel I pronounced it au-ree-el,
the way its supposed to be pronounced,she got offended and told me to call her air-eel,because au-ree-el was too exotic sounding and oppressive to women. OH BROTHER I thought to myself, this town is going to extinct itself in 2 generations or 3 if that stink'in think'in continues. Portland,Or isn't much better.
Posted by: Alpha Male | December 01, 2009 at 08:39 PM
The government should supply a dowry for each woman 18 and above. That would give the couple a start in married life. The woman should be able to choose to use it for her education instead. If she is educated, she has a better chance of earning a living, and she would not need a dowry to get married.
Posted by: Joanne | December 01, 2009 at 08:37 PM