Source: Women News Network
As the women of Egypt stress concerns over food security, human rights, political exclusion, sexual harassment and demeaning treatment in public places, along with reports of rape and attacks made against those who were publicly protesting throughout the year. Today the movement of women to push forward is evident in what some say is the largest gathering to date on the year anniversary of the revolution in Egypt.
The number of protesters in Cairo’s square has grown on this anniversary exactly one year after what was known as the ‘Day of Rage’ protests that sparked the Arab Spring and revolution throughout Egypt. Today’s gathering in Cairo has brought well over one hundred thousand people to the streets. During the past year attacks on women, as well as men, who have been involved in speaking out have been ongoing. Over 850 deaths have been reported in the region, with over 100 of these deaths occurring after Mubarak stepped down; all during the uphill climb that began as a plea for democracy, fairness and transparency in the region.
But the democracy movement has met with frustration as military rule and splintered political factions have attempted to bring control of Egypt to their doorstep.
Other reports have stated that 12,000 citizens have been part of closed military court hearings, hearings conducted as custom dictates without any juries since the beginning of the democracy movement in Egypt. In the wake, progressive women’s coalitions are pushing to continue their campaigns for a better form of government that does not involve military rule. Over 100 cases have been pushed forward into the courts to bring justice to the beatings and sexual assaults of women by military personnel or security police throughout Egypt.
Ms. Samira Ibrahim has one case that has shown some progress for women. Ibrahim was submitted to torture with a following demeaning ‘virginity test’ by soldiers who detained her during her appearance at a protest on Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Since her case has been in process one judge has officially outlawed any ‘virginity tests’ of detainees by security forces.
“There needs to be some balance. Not people at the very top and at the very bottom. I want to see democracy in my country, and I have to sacrifice for it. I have to be ready to die, to be arrested. I can’t sit at home and say: I want freedom,” said 21-year-old female Egyptian university student Ruheya only a few weeks after the revolution for demands in Egypt began last year. Wearing a long veil Ruheya had come 100 miles to protest in the early days of the 2011 revolution in Egypt.
Women can be seen leading part of the protests in Cairo February 2011. Image: Ramy Raoof
On January 23, 2012 the government of Egypt was ‘officially’ transferred to the parliamentary majority, now with the Muslim Brotherhood at the helm, but the parliament is still under the control of Egypt’s Military Council, a situation that worries numerous women in Egypt.
“This yr nowhere I wanted 2b but Egypt. The revolution continues. Lots of work to do. Passion&determination of marchers tells me we’ll do it,” says one of today’s twitter tweets by Egyptian born and recent U.S. citizen Mona Eltahawy who is also a CNN journalist and commentator on the Middle East region. While on assignment for CNN, Eltahawy survived a targeted sexual attack by Tahrir Square security police in November 2011.
In spite of attacks, the fight for freedom of expression and dignity has been a strong part of the ongoing movement for women in Egypt. An acceptance of diversity with religion has also been an included dialogue among women. But the recent tone in some political circles has taken a turn that has caused various splinter groups to form.
“We wanted to get rid of Mubarek and we did Suzanne,” said Eltahawy to CNN reporter Suzanne Malveaux when she asked Mona what was happening on the ground in Cairo on the year anniversary. “But what ended up happening is that he was replaced by 19 Hosni Mubaraks, which is the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces headed by Field Marshal Tantawi, and we came out today to march today from various points across Cairo, but also various points across Egypt to say ‘Down, down with military rule’ because we’re serious about regime change. And we’re also here to say that the revolution continues until we get rid of that regime and Egypt is under civilian control,” continued Eltahawy.
“When people took to Egypt’s streets in January 2011, they were bound together by a deep hatred of the Mubarak regime rather than a common vision of what demands for “bread, freedom and social justice” would mean in policy and practice. A year on, the situation is worse economically, political space is more constrained than ever, and social justice is framed in even more exclusionary terms,” says Ms. Mariz Tadros, a research fellow and expert in Middle East politics at IDS – Institute of Development Studies based in the UK. Prior to joining IDS, Tadros was an assistant professor of political science at the American University in Cairo and a journalist for Al-Ahram Weekly.
“The return to Tahrir shows that the Middle East has awoken out of its stupor and the wheels have shifted. Safety in exchange for control is no longer acceptable, wealth in exchange for dignity is not an option,” says Ms. Mushira Sabry a female Egyptian correspondent in Cairo working for Joseph Mayton atBikya Masr news.
“So the revolution continues I’m very glad to report,” added Eltahawy.
