Egypt’s women have had enough of being told to cover up

While all eyes are focused on the presidential race, on the streets of Egypt, inch by inch, bit by bit, women’s rights are shrinking. Women, Muslim and Christian, who do not cover their hair or who wear mid-sleeved clothing are met with insults, spitting and in some cases physical abuse. Thanks to the lax security situation, women are reporting that they hate walking the streets now and have restricted their mobility to all but the most essential of errands.

In her Guardian Comment article, IDS Fellow, Mariz Tadros reflects on how political battles over who reigns over Egypt are not only being fought over presidential and parliamentarian seats, but also over who can claim more control over a woman’s body.

‘As Coptic Egyptian women, will not allow ourselves to be used as pawns by any leader inside the church or out to achieve his own political ends.’, she said.

Read the full Guardian Comment article, ‘Egypt’s women have had enough of being told to cover up‘.