There’s some serious fucked up street harassment going on Cairo and women are fed up. The New York Times had an article up yesterday on the continued violence against women on Talat Harb Street, a popular block in the city.
Recently, reports surfaced on Egyptian blogs, on television and in newspapers that groups of men had roamed the city streets during a holiday weekend and attacked young women — actually chased them down in packs. There were accounts from witnesses and victims.…“All of a sudden, these guys attacked us and came in between us and harassed us,� a reveler told Al Ahram, the semi-official newspaper. “They groped us in a way that is worse than anyone on the crowded street could imagine.�
There is still uncertainty over what exactly happened in the streets that day. What is certain, though, is that the police have been adamant that very little occurred, and that anyone who suggests otherwise is degrading Egypt’s reputation. (Emphasis added)
That’s real sweet.
One young man who posted pictures of the attacks on his website actually had to hide for days after receiving a threatening phone call. And yet, the police continue to say that nothing happened.
In response, groups of women have been holding demonstrations against the attacks and the lack of police intervention.
One protestor, Nesreen Khaled, says “This is not the first time this has happened, but the dangerous part is that it is the first time that it happened in such a collective way…Where are the police that are always there at the mosques? Where are the regular people to stop this from happening?�
Pic from Nora Younis, who has a whole set dedicated to the protest.
Also check out Global Voices Online, which highlights how Egyptian bloggers brought the story to light.
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Well, it's typical, isn't it? It goes right along with that remark a few posts down. For misogynists, it isn't offensive to attack women; what's offensive is for women to speak out about being attacked.
"anyone who suggests otherwise is degrading Egypt’s reputation."
Kind of like a rape victim bringing shame to her family, but on a national scale.
Blecht.
Back at the protests before their joke election last year, the gov't's thugs used organized groping and attacks against female protestors, according to Abu Aardvark at the time.
I'd wonder about some kind of official sanction to this, but the cops could just as well be of the 'they deserve it for being women and out of their houses' school.
I would personally consider having the Pharoah as your boss more 'shameful' then reporting a crime, but I guess everyone doesn't agree.
I saw an advertisement for a cable news network doing a special on Egyptians driving out Christians. I wonder if it is related to attacks on women.
Over 10% of Egyptians are Christian. So “Egyptians driving out Christians� does not make any sense. What do you mean?
maybe what dave meant was that muslim egyptians are driving out christian egyptians (also known as copts). my parents left egypt for that reason. its not a forceful driving out, but many are making it pretty damn clear -- either by burning down churches and kidnapping christian women (to convert them) if they are extremist, or simply not giving copts any opportunities (in terms of education and work) if they are 'moderate' -- that they want the copts out.