Egypt

The 1971 Constitution proclaims Egypt ‘a democratic, socialist state’ with Islam as its state religion and Arabic its national language.

The country’s Islamic Laws give women the right to own and control land and property, however many Egyptian women face discrimination particularly on issues of marriage and divorce. Deeply entrenched traditions and customs often combine with women’s own lack of awareness of their rights, to hinder Egyptian women’s full development and participation in decision making within their communities and country. Despite the country’s Ministry of Health banning the practice of FGM in 1996 ‘unless for medical reasons’, Female Genital Mutilation is still widespread particularly in rural areas of Upper Egypt. A 2003 demographic health survey within the country found that 97% of married women between the ages of 15-49 had undergone some form of FGM. The survey also found that doctors constitute 52% of those performing FGM, followed by trained nurses or midwives, statistics which suggest that despite growing pressure within Egypt to end FGM altogether, the practice is continuing under the loophole of ‘medical reasons’.

In addition, many Egyptian women experience early marriage – some 33% do so before the age of 18 and a significant number marry men 5-10 years older than themselves. Such early marriages reduce women’s educational opportunities, adversely affect their health, limit their economic potential and create serious inequalities within their marriages – putting them at a disadvantage when negotiating with an older partner.

Domestic violence is also an all too common reality for many of Egypt’s women. Conservative, patriarchal social structures consider such violence ‘a private matter’ which often remains unreported, or unsupported by the appropriate authorities if a report is made. Additionally, women rarely, if ever, report rape. A recent survey by the country’s National Centre for Criminal and Social Research suggests some 10,000 rapes a year – very few are formally reported since there is a prevailing attitude that it is the women herself who has ‘invited’ the rape. The perpetrators remain unpunished and it is the woman who is doubly victimised, through the trauma of the rape and by the lack of a supportive criminal justice system.

Egyptian Centre for Women’s Rights

The Egyptian Centre for Women’s Rights runs training programmes for local women to help them develop their own capacity to become leaders and participate fully in the decision-making process of their communities and country. The Centre’s rights awareness workshops allow women to learn about their civil and legal rights and encourages them to run for office, as well as become involved in local non-governmental organisations. They also provide legal aid, advice and support with lawsuits, as well as monitoring violations of women’s rights, such as acts of violence, and other forms of discrimination against women.

Care for Girls Committee

Using a variety of media – plays, stories, picture books, videos, posters and slide shows – the Care for Girls Committee raises awareness of issues such as FGM, early marriage and the rights of girls and young women. In addition to publishing and distributing their own books, the Care for Girls series, the Committee consults with and trains local church leaders and social and health workers. They also work closely with women and their families, organising local meetings and home visits to raise awareness of the issues and give support and advice.