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Ragia Omran: Abused in Egypt
The human rights activist discusses the rising violence against women in Egypt
and why she refuses to stay silent.
Talk to Al Jazeera Last Modified: 30 Mar 2013 15:10
Sexual harassment and attacks on women in Egypt were a problem before the
January 25 revolution, but in the two years since the Arab Spring came to
Cairo, the problem has grown worse.
Violent assaults - groping, stripping and rapes have become increasingly
frequent at the heart of the uprising, Tahrir Square.
Sexual assault in Egypt, activists say, has become a weapon of war against
women. Many have long stayed silent, but not anymore.
One of those making their voices heard is Ragia Omran, a prominent lawyer,
human rights activist, and feminist. She talks to Al Jazeera about the women
abused in Egypt, the role of women, and why she refuses to stay silent.
"Egyptian women have always historically participated in public life ... not
only as protesters but also defending people. The role of women threatens. We
are in a patriarchal society. Women are a big part of the group demanding more
rights, there is a strong sense of women empowerment, however the society is
not accepting that.
"If we look at the discourse used by the Muslim Brotherhood and the regime
towards women ... it is all related to sexuality and the body. It is never
related to issues of equal pay
these tapes you mentioned that has become an
epidemic is part of the plan to get different groups of people not to
participate in Tahrir. It is very alive and it will not stop," says Omran.
On January 25, 2013, during the commemorations of the second anniversary of the
movement that toppled Hosni Mubarak, there were at least 19 reported cases of
attacks on women in and around Tahrir Square.
Omran explains the impact the attacks are having on Egyptians: "Activists and
bystanders managed to record some harrowing videos of how the attackers swarmed
their victims.
"There could be groups that do that to make the regime look bad. The thing is
that if you look at the discourse, there was a discussion and the comments made
are quite disappointing, why do they go to Tahrir? The TV channels say that
kind of stuff and it is brainwashing to people. We do not have to defend who we
are and why we are going down [there]. Even in the parliament the discussion
about the laws giving power to women, there were discussions to get rid of them
because people said it's Suzanne Mubarak laws."
Concerned citizens and activists have set up teams to try to protect female
demonstrators because they do not trust the police to intervene.
But Omran remains hopeful: "There is a rising awareness ... Egyptians are very
active, to fight this. I don't think it will get worse .... There has been a
draft law. Hopefully legislation will pass."
Talk to Al Jazeera can be seen each week at the following times GMT:
Saturday: 0430; Sunday: 0830, 1930; and Monday: 1430.
Click here for more Talk to Al Jazeera
Source:
Al Jazeera
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