Several female activists welcomed Prime Minister Essam Sharaf's announcement that a new commission for women affiliated to the Egyptian cabinet will be established to help activate the role of women in all spheres of life. They also called for the abolition of the parliamentary quota for women, to avoid discrimination against men. Shahenda Maqlad, a member of Egyptian Women for Change, told Al-Masry Al-Youm she welcomed the PM's initiative, adding that it is an alternative to the Supreme Council for Women headed by former First Lady Suzanne Mubarak. Maqlad also called for a women's union to bring together female political and social powers, and urged the adoption of the proportional representation system for parliament, which she said would favor women, Copts, farmers and workers. Maqlad added that women played a crucial role in the 25 January revolution, besides standing up for other social and political rights. Margaret Azer, secretary-general for the Democratic Front Party, meanwhile, called for changing Egypt's Constitution to empower women, criticising what she described as their marginalization in recent times. On the other hand Karima al-Hefnawi, a member of Egyptian Women for Change and the Kefaya opposition movement, rejected the idea of a women's commission, saying it would show that society regards women as inferior. Society has to change the way it regards women, she said, and thus they would get their rights without the help of a commission or similar body. Al-Hefnawi also urged the abolition of the women's quota, though, saying fair elections should give equal opportunity to everyone. She demanded that women be given the opportunity to head ministries other than those they have commonly led. Translated from the Arabic Edition.
