Egyptian authorities have reportedly asked YouTube to remove a controversial video of a woman being sexually assaulted in the iconic Tahrir Square. The assault, which took place during president Al-Sisi’s inauguration, has sparked a wave of anger against sexual harassment in the country.
The incident shook the country, including President El Sisi. His first field visit in office was to the harassment victim, he told her he takes full responsibility.
"We are sorry, we are not good people, don’t be sad, you are the most dear to us, Egypt won’t progress without women, I won’t talk to the interior minister, I will talk to every soldier in Egypt whether it be army or police, this must never happen or continue here in Egypt." Sisi said.
For years Authorities took sexual harassment cases lightly, driving women away from police stations to file complaints and encouraging assaulters to keep on. But not any more.
"This man told me you are a babe, We will do what we want with you. I stared at him he laughed. They want to irritate us."
This man and two more were immediately arrested for verbally harassing women on the street. They and dozens more were organizing a rally against such incidents that are becoming common in Egypt.
Earlier A new decree law was issued by former interim president Adly Mansour, that criminalizes any verbal or physical act that has sexual references, but they say it’s not enough.
"It’s important to make a stand continuously not only today, to continue to activate, because this is an issue that has to be dealt with from the roots, starting with the education system, then going up to the legal system, now we have a new law, it could be better, but it’s a good start." Protester Najla Nadeem said.
Numerous reports on Egypt confirmed that over 90% of women have experienced a type of sexual harassment. And these women here are calling for their rights to walk in the streets unharmed.
"I usually get verbally harassed when I’m walking, But I’ve never been physically harassed, but I know a lot f women who have been physically harassed, it’s very humiliating, it’s very annoying and It makes me feel like I am not respected, like I am not treated as a person or a human being in my own country." Protester Lara Asem said.
Sexual Harassment is a problem Egypt has long been suffering from, but the Tahrir incident encouraged these dozens to come to her and say Stop. They cannot stand it any more.
