Violence Against Women in Egypt

                                                           Women campaigning in Cairo (2005)

There have been many gains in the consequences for people who commit violence against women in Egypt. The report submitted to the CEDAW committee on 28 January 2010 provided an update of the improvements made in Egypt in terms of women's rights. Egypt ratified the convention in 1981 and has been working towards the equality of women with notable success.

Not so long ago, there were laws on the books that exempted rapists from facing a prison term if they married their victim. Since that law has been repealed, there have been many advancements in combating violence against women. There has been more research and surveys done to determine the situation of violence that women deal with and perceive. Law enforcement officers are trained periodically so that they are prepared to deal with situations where women are experiencing violence. And their have been harsher penalties established for those who commit these crimes.

Violence against women is an issue that spans more areas than just physical abuse and neglect. It also encompasses the issue of female circumcision, which is now punishable by criminal courts in Egypt. The country now considers this procedure a violation of a woman's body and something that causes her physical harm, which constitutes violence. The rates of female have dropped dramatically in 2005, especially in urban areas where around 40% of girls receive the procedure. Though that number still seems high, compare it with a time when almost 100% of girls were circumcised.

However, there are still many challenges in Egypt in regard to violence against women. Some of these include:

• Many Women refrain from speaking openly about family violence or
reporting it to the police, as they consider it a family matter.
• Women's self-image. Some women, especially in rural areas where
education levels are low, still accept certain practices and would not think
about complaining about them.
• Reactionary ideas, individual practices, and negative customs persist in
society.
• Violent incidents have increased due to behavioural changes attributed to
the influence of violence in foreign films and media, which the Egyptian
cinema has begun to imitate.

There are many future efforts that continue to counter violence against women. Women must be better educated on their human rights. Many women still do not consider themselves equal to men, and therefore see violence as their fault or something they deserve. There must also be better education about violence in the media, specifically foreign films that portray graphic images of violence against women. There needs to be more safe houses established for women and children who are victims of violence. Overall the situation in Egypt has improved greatly with the ratification of CEDAW and will continue to make improvements under the committee's supervision.

Post by Meghan

"Egypt: Combined Sixth and Seventh Periodic Reports to CEDAW | Women Living Under Muslim Laws." Women Living Under Muslim Laws. 28 Jan. 2010. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. http://www.wluml.org/node/5913