CAIRO - “Women played a big role in the ousting of president Hosni Mubarak and they have the right to participate in every aspect of political life,” says Hoda Abdel-Ghani, a professor of sociology in the Faculty of Arts, Helwan University. She adds that women's participation in political parties is still poor and that “we need more protection for women” so they can seize their rights in modern society. “Egyptian women still lack equality,” she explains. “In Egypt, there are many women who are capable of playing a political role and serving as MPs. “Egypt's November 28 parliamentary elections, the first since the ousting of Mubarak, will determine the country's future, so all women should have the right, just like men, to participate in these elections.” After the departure of the old regime, most Egyptians need freedom, democracy, social justice, food, jobs and medical treatment. “I hope that the next Parliament tries to meet these demands and make the reforms that are needed to reshape the country,” says mother-of-three Om Mohamed. “A woman is like a school, which can produce a good and noble generation. Egyptian women can help their families as well as their countries. “In Egypt, there are some women who are better than one hundred men. Mothers, sisters, wives and daughters are capable of leading society.” Nashwa el-Ghitani, a professor of political science at Cairo University, says: “Women must be full participants in political life like men; they must be accorded equal rights in law, when it comes to marriage, divorce, child custody and inheritance. Women must have legal protection from violence and sexual harassment in the streets. “Women's rights are an important element in the development of Egyptian society. Women are one half of society. They are equal to men. They must play a more active role and let their voices be heard.” She adds that many women in Egypt work like men all day and they have much experience in many fields, so there's no problem with their holding senior political positions. “I think Egyptian women are cultured enough and aware. They are not lazy, so they should have the right to represent the Egyptian people, whether in Parliament or in the Government. “Egyptian women have proven throughout history that they are strong and can cope with difficulties, so they must be given the right to hold senior political positions.” Says Mohamed Saber, an accountant: “Women in Egypt are oppressed and the Egyptian Government denies them their rights. It should allow them to play a leadership role in society and to serve their country. “Women support men in every domain, even in politics,” he adds. “They play an important role in building society.” “The legal status of Egyptian women has improved in recent decades. For example, they now have the right to divorce and the right to be appointed judges,” says Adel Abdel-Hamid, a professor of political science at Al-Azhar University. “In 2008, Egypt became the first country in the Muslim world to appoint a maazouna [female marriage register]. “All women's associations and organisations must demand these rights and pressurise all the parties to give women the right to participate in politics,” he stresses. Nora Mohamed, a student at the Faculty of Pharmacology, Cairo University, says: “I think a woman can be a judge, a lawyer and even a president. “But women's ability to participate in political life may be at risk, as it was neglected in Mubarak's era, when women were treated as unproductive members of society who have to stay at home and take care of their children. “The Government should give them the opportunity to participate in the forthcoming elections freely, with greater support from the political parties. “We must eliminate the perception that women have of being inferior by giving them a chance in everything.”
