Women In Egypt

What they say is true. I have been fortunate so far, perhaps due in part to new laws set in place by President El-Sisi the past 10 days, but women have it bad in Egypt.

I spent a good part of the day with new friends, Nalek, wife Ani, their four boys, and a summer intern from a US seminary, Helen, discussing and reflecting on the political state of Egypt, Israel's response to the death of three Israeli youth, our life journeys and the plight of women in Egypt. Ani, an exceptionally bright and bi-cultural Egyptian woman, shared her experience having lived many places and returned to Egypt in past years. Apparently, the influence of the Islamic Brotherhood, the cultural influence of the Gulf states through Egyptian workers who bring religious and cultural expectations back to Cairo after long bouts of work, the influx of tourism from Middle Eastern countries and the economy (it is cheaper to dress in a few ensembles every week than have a closet full of clothes) have all added to the tightening grip on women and their daily harassment in Egypt.

When President El-Sisi, a military man trained in the US, was elected and his inauguration held, a woman was gang-raped in the midst of the crowd formed in Tahrir Square. A few days later, El-Sisi paid a visit to the woman in the hospital, gave her roses, and apologized on behalf of Egypt. This was a monumental step towards acknowledgement of the exceptional harassment problem. He gathered his advisers together and implemented harsh penalties for verbal and physical harassment as well as rape. Again, this was a monumental step towards addressing the plight of women in Egypt.

Ani explained that in the past 10 days, things have been better. The hardcore stares I received, or Helen received, have not gone away, but the catcalls and general harassment has lessened. Walking around the neighborhood with Meled, an Egyptian youth who was more than happy to show me the area in which he lived, was a fun, if not a cautious, occasion. He took me to a supermarket where the owner, who spoke little English, was sure to ask me before I left, "what is your opinion of Egypt now?" I replied, "good", so as to lend positive support for the direction of the country from American eyes.

I was surprised a little later when Meled touched me on the shoulder in a friendly manner, which is not done by Egyptian men under any circumstances. But Ani explained he is young and the youth don't know any better until they grow older when they become more accustomed to the social rules of Egyptian life. It is these same youth that are often the harassment culprits. Meled, however, was dear and his friends did much to welcome and provide for me as I sat at the seminary gate trying to discern if it was wise to venture out. I did choose to venture out, but was on the street only a few minutes before Meled, my new friend joined me and escorted me the next hour.