Women's Issues - Updated April 2006

A foreign woman will likely leave Egypt with experiences that are different to those of her male companion. Unfortunately, many Egyptians perceive foreign women to be sexually immoral and similar to prostitutes. These beliefs are developed from two sources: the images they see from Western television and movies, and the differences in what is socially acceptable in an Islamic versus foreign society.

EGYPTIAN WOMEN
In order to understand why Egyptians view foreign women as they do, it may help to know a little about the role of women in the Egyptian society. Despite some laws being unconstitutional, Egyptian woman continue to suffer discrimination before the law. An example of this is the travel restriction that husbands may place on their wives. In order to apply for or renew her passport, a wife must first obtain her husband's written permission to travel. In addition, the husband may revoke his travel approval at any time and a woman will be stopped when she passes through customs. Her name will be blacklisted until her husband chooses to permit her to travel again. This is clearly unconstitutional as the 1971 Egyptian Constitution allows a citizen's right to unconditional and free travel unless he or she is needed for interrogation or is a threat to national security.

Relationships between men and women do not really begin until after they are married (I frequently have Egyptian men tell me that their only reason to marry is so that they may have sexual relations with a woman). Displays of public affection are frowned upon, and outsiders will not hesitate to share their disapproval. A woman may be accused of adultery if she is caught by her husband and may be imprisoned for up to two years. A man may only be charged with adultery if he is caught in the couple's home and then he will only face a maximum sentence of six months if he is found guilty.

In an Egyptian marriage, the woman is given a dowry called a Mahr (usually equalling one room of furniture as well as gold) and a Moakhar el Sadaq, a deferred dowry that is insurance for the woman if the marriage is terminated because of divorce or her husband's death. The groom's family usually pays for the wedding, the accommodation, and appliances. A woman that has been dishonored because of an affair or rape will only receive a dowry of LE 5-25. Egyptian law now states that the woman may ask that her marriage contract include the right to pronounce herself divorced. The man automatically is given the right to divorce, the esma, without the need to demonstrate cause by reciting the words to his wife: "Go; you are divorced". Unfortunately, many women do not partake of their rights within the marriage contract for fear of causing embarrassment. While a man may take many wives, technically (and I use this word loosely) a husband may not marry another woman without his wife's permission. Getting a divorce is legally difficult for a woman who may spend between five and ten years in court attempting to divorce her husband. Unless she can prove that her husband beats her, has abandoned her, has a congenital disease, or that he is unable to support her and her children financially, she will lose all her financial rights from the marriage. A man may turn around and remarry his ex-wife without her permission and legally force her to return to his home. Many raped woman are forced by their families to marry their rapist to cover up the scandal. The rapist often agrees to marry his victim to escape harsh penalties under the law. However, as her husband, under Egyptian law, he has the right to divorce her the day after the marriage without requiring an explanation or the woman's consent. Finally, just to give you an idea on how some men view rape, I think this piece from the Middle East Times (29 April-5 May. Women Fear Taxi Driver Menace by Berween Shoreh) sums it up: However, Hassan, a 35-year-old taxi driver, said that people are taking this issue too seriously and that girls do not really mind being raped. "Girls like this feeling and they are happy to be raped," Hassan said. Poor economic conditions are also blamed for provoking taxi drivers into molesting their passengers. Taxi driver Salem said he sympathizes with drivers who rape girls because there are severe economic conditions that prevent a lot of young men from getting married, so they resort to rape.

A 1995 study by the National Population Council of Egypt found 97% of the 14,500 women interviewed had been circumcised. Otherwise known as Female Genital Mutilation, this practice is used to control women's sexuality by eliminating her ability to enjoy sexual relations. Most procedures are performed on young girls by inexperienced persons with an unsanitized knife, often resulting in gynaecological problems, the spread of sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS, painful intercourse, and deaths of newborns. In Egypt this custom is a tahara or purification of the woman and can be considered a prerequisite for marriage. When CNN showed footage to the world of a 10-year-old girl being forcibly circumcised without anaesthesia, CNN was sued for showing images which were detrimental to Egypt and disturbing to the public. The plumber's assistant who carried out the procedure had all charges against him dropped because he did not know that circumcision was illegal in Egypt.

FOREIGN WOMEN
The harassment that foreign women experience may come in many forms, ranging from hisses, whistles, whispered comments, boisterous comments in Arabic, and groping. There are a few ways to reduce and address harassment while in Egypt. The first and foremost thing to keep in mind is that Egypt is predominantly a Muslin nation, with very strict Muslim beliefs. If a Muslim woman would not do it, chances are a foreign woman should not be doing it. Here are a few ideas:

• Dress conservatively: Foreign females often dress in a manner that is often unacceptable to Egyptians (although perfectly normal back home). Showing your shoulders and upper arms, waist, cleavage and thighs encourages sexual advances by men. This does not mean that you should wear a tent whenever you venture out. By dressing conservatively you will be more able to enjoy your time here. Despite the heat in the summer months, I always cover up with a t-shirt and jeans or cotton pants (and save the summer dresses and bikinis for the beach resorts). It is easier to be hot but unhasselled than to be slightly cooler and harassed. Invest in a pair of sunglasses. Men cannot tell if you are looking at them and it does at time provide a small sense of protection.

  Unfortunately, sometimes covering up seems to still provoke a reaction. A few months ago, while walking in the underground of the Sadat metro I was attacked by two women. I was dressed appropriately, yet it still angered them and they decided to react with violence. Ironically, it was a man who stepped in to chase them away and to apologize profusely for their behaviour.

• Do not share a room with a man if you are not married: Tell everyone that you and your male friend are married, invest in a simple ring for show, and learn the phrase: ANA MITGAWWIZA (I am married). Carolina and myself were subject to questioning by men regarding our marital status. At first it was amusing but it soon became invasive as we couldn't get into a taxi, sit at a restaurant table or take a tour without an interrogation. Staff at hotel's will think it is open season if you do not have a husband, so anticipate being the centre of attention.

• Never travel alone: Actually, this is just common sense. Always travel with a friend as there really is safety in numbers. A foreign woman I met at the pyramids had many tales of harassment and stalking while travelling around Cairo alone. When being followed by men she would duck into a deluxe hotel and wait an hour before venturing out. When riding in a taxi she was taken to the driver's many relatives' shops, despite her protests. I had a similar experience when I had to take a taxi alone during an emergency in Hurghada. By the end of the ride I had acquired four other male passengers and a portable gas tank. To this day I feel I was lucky nothing more serious happened as I was clearly outnumbered and in an unfamiliar place.

I cannot recommend that you ever whack someone who has touched or harassed you: pride is very important to Egyptian men and they may be pushed into responding against you. What does work and is a great anger release is to know a few key phrases:

• HALASS! (Enough! Finished!) - is a great word to shout and is used by Egyptians all the time.
  
• SIBNEE LE WADI! (don't touch me!) - does work and both Carolina and I have used it successfully.
  
• EEB! (shame!)
  
• ARAM! (evil!)

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