Women Leaders Welcomed the Approval by the Government to Increase Parliamentary Representation of Women … Warn of the "Control of Money and Bullying" on Women''s Seats

Leaders of women's activists welcomed the Government's agreement to increase the representation of women in parliament, saying the resolution is a "positive step" towards the empowerment of women.  However it does not hide many of the concerns – according to the women activists – of the control of bullying and violence at the elections.
The Arab Women's Association has announced the start of its financial and moral support of the women who wish to run in the election.
Dr. Farkhona Hassan, Secretary General of the National Council of Women, commended members of the Shura Council which is made up of men who have strongly welcomed the amendment of the new law, saying they demanded that it would last for more than two terms.
During a meeting organized by the National Council for Women on Thursday to discuss the draft amendment of the People's Assembly law, Hassan said that it is the first time that the government applies the law and allocates it to the National Council for Women, so they can express themselves on the items before the Shura Council.
There was also a response to the demand to increase the number of seats in some major departments in governorates.
Farkhonda added that it is difficult to control the different forms of bullying in the elections. She cited that in the Dr. Amal Othman Committee in the last election one of the women entered the Election Commission and without any grounds struck her head against a glass window.
For her part, Dr. Amal Othman, President of the People's Assembly's Legislative Committee, said that the law is intended to give women greater political empowerment, and further deepens democracy.
She pointed out that she hopes that the coming years will see the introduction of a fair representation of the list of comparative advantage, which was claimed by 67% of political party members and civil society.
Nihad Aboualqamassan, Chairman of the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights said: This step, although important, has been delayed by the State for 20 years."  She pointed out that since the early Nineties, there has been a severe decline in the election of women, due to the adoption of a single system, which does not encourage all groups to participate, and allows for violence, bullying and the control of money – according to her – on the election.
Nihad appealed the People's Assembly and Shura Council to reconsider the election law provided, so that the women's list system is a proportional system and not individual, pointing out that the individual system is considered in elections as "the worst quota system in place in all countries."
She said: "The National Democratic Party agreed to this requirement, only because it cannot reject what has been approved by President Mubarak during his election campaign."
She added: "The new election law isolates women from the community, through the notion of two papers, one for all candidates and the second only for women, especially in patriarchal areas." She stressed the importance of comparative advantage, as it strengthens party life.
She pointed out that there is an urgent need to amend the policy to achieve political balance of power in society, especially as the board electoral map is very disturbing, and the existing system could fight the tyranny of the strength of certain unacceptable powers by society.
She objected to the idea that this system might be applicable for only two terms, noting that it should be good for at least four terms, despite the fact that the Constitution gives the opportunity for women's empowerment as a permanent and unconditional state which is not limited to specific items.
She pointed out that even after the four greater provinces had been determined, the demographic distribution was not taken into account and a burden double the amount was put on elected women more than men.
 
For her part, Dr. Hoda Badran, President of the Association of Arab women, announced that the Association will serve through its rehabilitation project for women's political basis, and provide moral support for women wishing to enter the elections who are in a position to compete.
Hoda pointed out that the support will not be through funds given to nominees, but it will be through the preparation of advertising campaigns and conferences, especially to women capable of competing but without material support.
She added: "The political preparation project has started ever since the rehabilitation of a number of women in various major provinces," pointing out that several interviews will be held with the parties to nominate a number of young women who are able to enter the elections.