CAIRO: Since the January 25 Revolution, women have been excluded from the decision-making process, Mervat El-Telawi, head of the Association of International Civil Servants Egypt (AFICS), said. “This has been the case ever since the 1919 Revolution, women going back to square one,” she said. El-Telawi was speaking at a seminar held by the Alliance for Arab Women (AAW), in cooperation with AFICS and the Coalition of Egyptian NGOs discussing the current events with regards to women. Controversial issues, such as the amendment of certain laws that are deemed favorable to women and associated with the ousted regime, were debated. “There must be changes and some laws need to be reviewed but they need to be looked at as a whole not only certain articles of the law,” said Hoda Badran, head of the AAW. She noted that rights women have gained in the past period were earned after years of relentless struggle by civil society organizations and women's rights activists. Regarding religious extremists, El-Telawi explained that if poverty and illiteracy are eradicated then extremists won't have any power in society. “These people are forging thoughts, the problem doesn't lie in the country side but here in the city, in the slums where all people care about is feeding their children,” she said, adding that civil society organizations have to launch awareness campaigns in these areas. In addition, the Ministry of Endowments has to take action regarding the use of churches and mosques for political propaganda, El-Telawi noted. “The solution is to reform the people's culture,” she said, pointing out that instead of building museums, efforts should be directed at educating people. “The television shows and the incorrect stereotypes they reinforce are what need to be changed,” El-Telawi said. The three organizations are holding a convention on June 4 with three main objectives; expressing views about the public issues raised in the national dialogue; highlighting the important role women have played during the revolution, ensuring women's participation in all public decisions in the future, while also ensuring the protection of their acquired rights. “This convention is the voice of the people,” said El-Telawi, adding that issues such as illiteracy, development and poverty will be thoroughly discussed. Badran explained that the convention will announce two declarations, the first states civil society views on public issues, particularly those related to women, and the second gives suggestions with regards to the new constitution. She explained that current debates such as the constitution, postponing elections, the right of Egyptians abroad to vote, reviewing the quota for women, farmers and workers, and justice in income allocation will be discussed. It is expected that some 2,000 participants will attend the convention from NGOs, political parties, syndicates, labor unions and academia from all over the country. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and the Cabinet of Ministers were also invited.
