Activism by Egyptian women

[BainsBane]

I posted two threads in GD about activism on the part of Egyptian feminists.

1. The Muslim world DOES have active feminist groups. Here is one recent example.

"Faced with a spike in sexual violence against female protesters, Egyptian women are overcoming stigma and recounting painful testimonies to force silent authorities and a reticent society to confront "sexual terrorism." . . .

"We are not victims, we are revolutionaries. What happened to us has made us stronger and we will continue" to take to the streets, said activist Aida al-Kashef. . . .

"These attacks aim to exclude women from public life and punish them for participating in political activism and demonstrations. They are also an attempt to ruin the image of Tahrir Square and demonstrators in general," said the group. . .

"We do not want to use the term 'harassment.' What is happening today is sexual terrorism," said Inas Mekkawy, a women's rights activist with the group Baheya."

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/2013/03/06/Women-in-Egypt-stand-strong-against-sexual-terrorism-.html

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022790016

2. I heard a report about this on BBC radio this afternoon. Egyptian women and men are protesting a sexist comment from a Muslim Brotherhood official to two different female journalists. I wonder how Americans would react to a similar comment here?

“Bahiya ya Masr,” or “Beautiful Egypt,” a group advocating women’s rights, is planning a sit-in on Sunday to protest the Egyptian Information Minister’s “sexist” comments towards two female journalists.

Salah Abdul Maksoud, angered many Egyptians after he told a female reporter to “come to my office and I will show you how,” as she mentioned the lack of freedom for expression.

Last Wednesday, during a press conference at the Information Ministry, the official repeated his infamous remark, when he told yet another female journalist from the private Al-Nahar TV station: “come to my office and I will tell you,” after she enquired about Egyptian TV content.

“Bahiya ya Masr” has planned a sit-in in front of Egypt’s Radio and TV Union (ERTU) Maspero at 4pm Cairo time, according to the groups Facebook page.
Riham Salim, one of the coordinators, said the campaign was a reaction to the minister’s derogatory comments.

“He knows very well that he angered many with his first statement, so why is he doing it again?” Salim asked, as she described his “narrow-mindedness” and “determination” to repeat the same mistake.


http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/04/27/Egypt-Minister-sparks-backlash-for-sexist-remarks-towards-female-journalists-.html

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10022789694

The first has only 45 views, despite a self kick.

It would appear that paying attention to what Muslim women protest about is not nearly as popular as talking about how backward their society is and how only Westerners know what is best for them.

[niyad]

1. k and r and bookmarking for later

[redqueen]

2. K&R

So much I could say here.

I'm pretty sure I don't even have to.