Women in Parliament: Gender Justice for Egyptian Women?

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Mon, 23 Feb 2015 - 04:42 GMT

BY

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 - 04:42 GMT

By Monica Micheal Hanna and Robert Forster The role of women in the public sphere is heavily debated in the Arab World. Female representation in government in the majority of Arab countries lies well below the world average. This trend of marginalisation is beginning to witness a reversal in Egypt as women play a more active role in national politics. Following the second revolution in 2013, the strategic importance of women, representing 49.7% of voters, is increasingly recognised by Egyptian officials and commentators. As stated by the columnist Mustafa Al-Bakri, women have the potential to be “a real strike force” in the upcoming parliamentary elections. The sustainability of this role however is only possible through support from the Egyptian authorities and societal recognition that women are essential to Egypt’s political and economic stability and development. This ability to penetrate into the public sphere in contemporary Egyptian society is heavily influenced by a number of societal trends, two of which stand out in particular. First, the discourse surrounding Egyptian identity in a polarized political environment continues to impact the extent of women’s participation in government. As stated by Ambassador Mervat Tallawy [Mirfat Al-Talawi], president of the National Council for Women, the former government led by former President Mohammed Morsi “sought to isolate Egyptian women from all leadership positions in the state.” Second, inequality in the treatment of women is highlighted by the endemic sexual harassment that underpins a feeling of insecurity among women when in public. In a November 2014 survey by United Nations Women, 99.3% of respondents confirmed that they had been subject to sexual harassment ranging from cat-calls to rape. It is the volatility and relative potency of these two factors in addition to the activism by Egyptian women that will define the future of Egyptian women’s participation in Egypt. Positive steps to ensure the protection and participation of women have been taken by Egyptian authorities. Although reactive in nature, they have been met with praise from a number of civil society organisations and political figures. Among them President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has been vocal in his support for the political participation of women. Such support led to the criminalisation of sexual harassment and the introduction of a quota for women in the up-coming Egyptian parliament. According to Major General Refat Al-Qumsan, prime minister for the Election Council, the quota would include 70 seats for women, of which 56 are listed on the ballot and 14 are filled via appointment. In light of such government support, former Egyptian Ambassador Mona Omar [Muna Umaran], current General Secretary of Egypt’s National Women’s Council, launched a women’s capacity-building program in December 2014 entitled “Egyptian Women… Step towards Parliament in 2015.” The programme aims at empowering women who wish to nominate themselves for election by explaining the constitutional and legal framework and clarifying the election process as well as strategies strengthening political alliances. Citing her catalyst for the programme, Ambassador Omar stated that women's participation in the upcoming parliamentary elections will be a step on the road at changing the values of Egypt’s communities and misconceptions affecting women negatively. Although forceful, the quota system seems to be effective, at least in the initial stages. Yassir Al-Burhami, deputy head of the Salafist Call, a group affiliated with Salafi Al-Nur Party, admitted that the group’s nomination of women was out of the necessity of conforming to electoral law which requires the listing of women as candidates. Women candidates, however, unlike their male counter-parts, did not submit photographs of themselves. This factor, underscores the fact that legislation does not ensure equality, and instigated much discontent among Egyptian women’s movements as well as broader Egyptian society. Despite such relative successes, the 70-seat quota system has not been without its critics. Sahar Ahmad, an expert in human development, does not see the quota as sufficient considering the size of their demographic. Nawal Al-Sa’dawi, the famous psychologist and rights activist stated more cynically that Egypt’s women are simply used as “fuel for the revolution and as a voting bloc in elections, but are then returned to their place after the election season. She is used only as a tool for service and reproduction.” Other challenges to full participation are highlighted by Dr. Ali Al-Sawi, a Professor of Political Science at Cairo University, who cited barriers to participation that include vote buying and assuring the safety of female nominees. Al-Sawi also cites media bias as a large barrier to participation. In regards to this last matter, Dr. Fadia Kiwan, a member of the Executive Council of the Arab Women’s Organization in Lebanon, also voices concern over the media’s “primary role in shaping public opinion [of women].” The sustainability of participation in the political system and public sphere by Egyptian women faces a number of difficulties despite legislative and legal support. Pressures from society in addition to an inherent media bias will continue to challenge easy access and participation. Small steps such as the 70-seat quota and the government sponsored anti-harassment campaigns form important precedents for future developments, but the question still remains: is it enough to facilitate social acceptance and further institutionalisation of continued participation of women in Egypt? Monica Micheal Hanna is a graduate of the Faculty of Mass Communication at Cairo University and worked at Arab West Report. You can follow her on Twitter at @monicamicheal92 Robert Forster is Editor at Arab West Report, a former research associate with Consultancy Africa Intelligence and a freelance translator for Reprieve UK. Follow him on Twitter at @_RobForster

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