Feminist Movements Continue to Battle Culture of Impunity in Egypt

Ten years ago on 25th January, one of the biggest revolutions in the world took place in Egypt’s capital. This revolution was a result of the first push of feminist movements and it originated in Cairo's Tahrir Square. Protesters marched into the town square chanting “Bread, Freedom and Social Justice'', demanding that President Hosni Mubarak, who was one of the region’s longest-serving and extremely autocratic leaders, step down. The women of Egypt took initiative to fight against the oppressive government and its obligations.

Source: origins

Who was President Hosni Mubarak?

Muhammad Hosni El Sayed Mubarak was the fourth President of Egypt. Before his entrance into politics, President Mubarak was a career officer in the Egyptian Air Force. One of the prime factors that marked his rule as the President of Egypt was his policy toward women and women's rights, for which he faced a lot of backlash.

What enraged the women of Egypt was the patriarchal dictatorship held by the President of Egypt and other former Egyptian presidents. The role of women under such dictatorship had been buried and their needs and concerns were never seen as a priority. There were many officials who tried to interfere and find an effective solution to this problem but none succeeded in their endeavours.

Samer Osman and her Role in the Revolution:

The revolution started as a Facebook invitation. Samer Osman, a 22 year old women's activist, had received Facebook invitations that urged her to join the protests that were taking place in the capital. Samer Osman decided to take up the opportunity to voice her anger towards the government regarding women's role in Egyptian society by joining the protests in Cairo's Tahrir Square.

Her anger spoke out more than her actions. "I had had enough of this dictatorship," Osman says. "I've had enough of youth losing their dreams and hopes." Her presence in Tahrir Square was a statement as powerful as any of the slogans heard that day. By joining the protests, Osman and other Egyptian women were clearly defying a conservative social landscape in which their involvement in the public sphere was clearly defined.

Source: The Cairo Review

Impact

The impact of the feminist movements occurring in Egypt was huge. As a result of all the protests, President Hosni Mubarak decided to step down from his position to put an end to the chaos. The women in Egypt fully set out to have their voices heard and at first glance we may think that they succeeded. Although they managed to get rid of the dictatorial Mubarak, multiple factors continue to persist in Egypt that act as a hindrance to the goals of feminism.

How Can We Help?

Whenever we come across topics such as this one, we need to use our voice the best we can. The first step in the right direction would be to keep educating yourself in order to stay updated on issues that impact the world. Staying educated will not only help you to understand the significant events occurring in the world but will also open up a door to empathising with and taking action to help people who are facing problems that we do not have to deal with due to our privilege.

The next step is to stay positive and practice various self care activities in order to stay calm and clear headed. We need to work on ensuring that we are mentally healthy and optimistic. This will help us to see the matter with a solution-focused perspective and no negativity will be able to hinder the steps you take towards making a difference.

Lastly, reach out and educate others as well. Spread awareness about the issue and discuss possible solutions within your community.

Sources Cited:

Hammond, J. (2012, February 02). Egyptian Women Play Vital Role In Anti-Mubarak Protests. Retrieved January 30, 2021, from https://www.rferl.org/a/egypt_women_protests/2300279.html

Home. (2020, December 22). Retrieved January 30, 2021, from http://www.africalink.ch/index.php/en/news/48-politics-and-diplomacy/377753-egypt-feminist-movements-continue-to-battle-culture-of-impunity-in-egypt

Feminist Movements Continue to Battle Culture of Impunity in Egypt. (2021, January 26). Retrieved January 30, 2021, from https://www.ipsnews.net/2021/01/feminist-movements-continue-battle-culture-impunity-egypt/