CAIRO: The Egyptian Center for Women's Rights (ECWR) followed up very carefully the announcement of the cabinet reshuffle. The Prime Minster held consultations regarding the formation of a new government in response to the demands of demonstrators in Tahrir Square and other squares in Egypt. This new government should represent the aspirations of the people and should be able to achieve the goals of the revolution. What worries ECWR is that the consultations didn't include any women leaders, which means that women will have only one ministerial position. We consider this as a serious discrimination against women in general and their participation in managing the public affairs in particular. The Egyptian women participated effectively in the 25th of January revolution: They went to the square, participated in the demonstrations, spent nights on the square under the rain, and participated in many violent confrontations. Despite the serious violations that the female activists faced in the aftermath of the revolution, women's participation was also very strong during the million march on July 8th and still is everywhere in Egypt to save the revolution. Everyone noticed that the Egyptian Women participated in making the greatest historical events of the country, confirming the fact that when women have the possibility to make a decision, they don't wait for anybody to invite them to participate. This should be reflected in the cabinet reshuffle. Women should be represented in this government as they were during the demonstrations! ECWR confirms that women's participation in the decision making is not only a matter of gender but it is a matter of option for the future and identifying which future we need: Do we want a future based on the principles of human rights and democracy, aiming to achieving the equality and eliminate the discrimination. Or do Egyptians want a future in the opposite direction?! ECWR confirms the necessity to commit to the principle of citizenship and equality which are the principles of democratic countries, and which were approved by the Military council in the constitutional declaration “Article.7: All citizens are equal before the law. They have equal public rights and duties without discrimination due to sex, ethnic origin, language, religion or creed.” Therefore, ECWR calls the Military Council and the government of Dr. Sharaf to: · Confirm the application of the principle of citizenship. Women's representation should be equal to their real role in the society at all levels of the decisions regarding Egypt's future. · Women should be represented fairly at all leadership positions. ECWR
