CAIRO: The Egyptian Center for Women's Rights (ECWR) condemned the exclusion of women from the appointment as new governors in Egypt. The government's movement to change a number of governors came without the presence of a woman among them. This was inconsistent with what is called for by the January 25 revolution as the principles of citizenship, justice and equality, stated ECWR in its press release. “It is disappointing especially after there has been such advertising that there will be a woman for the first time in the position of a governor,” added the press release. ECWR considered this as an exclusion of women from leading positions in the state, after they had been present in the field next to men during the revolution and served the country in all stages of the revolution. “Which made us wonder if the Tunisian Revolution was inspiring to the Egyptian revolution, then when would we follow the Tunisian example in the progress of visions and the planning for the future based on citizenship,” stated ECWR. Tunisia appreciated the role of women in the revolution and her actual participation which contributed to the success of their revolution and that was through the issuance of “the Supreme Council to achieve the goals of the revolution, political reform and democratic transition” of a decree that women should represent half of the members of the Constituent Assembly, according to the center. “Is the Egyptian woman, with her nobility and history, less than the Tunisian woman?” questioned ECWR. The exclusion of women from this position came along with excluding her from many committees formed during and after the revolution. “Will the revolution take Egyptian women backwards?” asked the release. The Egyptian Center for Women's Rights openly expressed its fear that this is an intended exclusion on the claim that this is not the time to talk about women's rights. Therefore, ECWR calls upon the Military Council and the government to lay the principle of citizenship and to allow women to be represented equally in all stages shaping the future of Egypt commensurate with the real size of their role in the society; that is a fair representation of women in all leadership positions. “We demand that the Military Council and the government should have a clear position regarding the participation of women and to ensure their rights; particularly in the laws in general and in taking her place in public office specifically,” said ECWR. BM
