CAIRO: Egypt is in full protest mode once again. Tens of thousands are packing Cairo's Tahrir Square to once more demand an end to the military control over the country. As anger and uncertainty reign in the country, women remain on the outside looking in, fearful of heading down to the square to show their support. The reason is simple: they are attacked, assaulted, groped and harassed throughout the square. In early June, an anti-sexual harassment protest was held in the square after more reports of sexual violence against women were reported. That protest was attacked by angry men. It was yet another dark stain on the future of Egypt, with women again being attacked for their desire to protest and make claim to the future of their country. “I was pushing through and as the men were praying in the square, I had my butt and chest grabbed repeatedly by people," one Egyptian woman, who asked that her identity not be revealed, told Bikyamasr.com on Wednesday evening. She added that “I was in shock, because the Islamists were in the square, but I guess it doesn't matter who is protesting, women will be attacked." Many activists have attempted to argue away the harassment and sexual violence meted out to women in the square by saying it is a choreographed attempt by the military and police to foment fear. This claim takes away from the real struggle facing women daily. Groping is commonplace, and unfortunately, is not only occurring in Tahrir. It happens everywhere, and women know this, but have little they can do. The month of June has seen numerous reports of sexual violence in Egypt's iconic square, highlighting that women's rights and ending harassment continue to be on the outside looking in as political tension in the country amps up. Last Friday was the worst day, with women, both foreigners and Egyptians, reporting that they had been sexually assaulted in the square take place following the disbanding of Parliament on Thursday evening. “I was walking in the square and was hoping to be part of the calls for the SCAF to leave power when a man behind me grabbed by butt and started saying disgusting things to me," one woman told Bikyamasr.com on Friday afternoon, asking that their identity remain anonymous. “He asked if I was a slut and then swore at me when I yelled at him," she added. Others also reported being harassed on social media networks, highlighting the growing concern facing women in the country and specifically in Tahrir Square, where masses are gathering. One foreign correspondent, a female, said she would not head down to Tahrir when it gets dark for fear of being attacked and groped. She said on the side streets of the square, she was grabbed numerous times this past week. If women cannot walk their streets freely, without fear of being assaulted, harassed and raped, how can the country move forward on a revolution that has been stalled by the military power in control of the country? While there are a number of activists who have apologized for sexual violence against women, these apologies and anger toward sexual assaults against women in Egypt are usually forgotten within 24 hours, with many activists claiming there “are more important issues” to be discussed. This misses the point facing more than half the country. As Nawal Saadawi, the prominent Egyptian feminist, told us recently in her Cairo house, “women are the revolution and without women you cannot have a future.” She is right. Without the strength of the female population, Egypt's revolution teeters toward failure. Women were integral during the 18 days of protests against Hosni Mubarak in 2011, but now they can barely enter Tahrir Square without being assaulted. This is not the new Egypt so desired by activists. But they must take action. Women's rights are not an outlier claim being made by a small segment of society, they are the future of a country that has long struggled with the role of women in society, politics and business. This is the current, modern Egypt that exists. And one where women are silenced from public. The use of violence and harassment against all women in this country is the main social problem that is barring any real and viable change from occurring. If Egypt is to see the success of the revolution then women, and violence against them, must be battled at every step. A constitution and election are important. But a country where women live in fear of walking down their streets, anywhere, is not a country that has a bright future.
