Stop Street Harassment

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Egypt: Successful “Eid without Harassment” Campaign

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By Nihal Saad Zaghloul, Co-Founder of Imprint Movement in Egypt who gave me permission to share this here.

This is our media statement of what happened during 9th and 10th of August on Talaat harb.

Imprint Movement and Anti-Sexual Harassment movement launched a campaign called “Eid without Harassment” which took place on Talaat harb square and street on the 9th and 10th of August from 4 until 10 p.m.

We divided ourselves between three teams: patrolling, awareness, and operations. We spoke and interacted with bystanders about the importance of rejecting this crime and rejecting violence.

Achievements:

* The prevention of 65 individual (verbal and physical) sexual harassment incidents
* The prevention of five mass harassment incidents.
* Two reports filed at the Tahrir police station.
* 70 people volunteered

We continue to work relentlessly on finding a grass root solution for this crime through the effective participation of the entire society. 

Help us build a better community.

Imprint Team.

Photos: Day1  | Day 2 

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Patrols Against Harassment in Egypt

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Harassers Via Egypt Independent

Eid-ul-Fitr, or Eid, is the holiday at the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and in Egypt, it’s sadly become synonymous with sexual harassment.

This year, there have been volunteers organized by the Imprint Movement patrolling the streets and subway stations, watching out for harassers. They’ve helped police arrest several harassers each day.

The Egypt Independent reported on the problem and published numerous photos of harassers and harassment.

“The sexual harassment wave continued in Downtown Cairo and other places during Eid. This comes as government officials and activists have asked for clear solutions to the problem that continues to be one of Egypt’s overwhelming distress.

Several anti-harassment campaigns collecting reports said that the highest numbers of cases were reported near Maspero, Talaat Harb Street. 26 July Street, the Sadat, Ataba and Shuhada metro stations and the neighborhoods of Mohandiseen, Moqattam, Heliopolis and Nasr City.”

Via the Imprint Movement

Nihal Zaghloul ‏(@NihalSaad) is one of the main organizers and wrote about what happened  (Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3).

“I am personally happy about it and we are looking into organizing more patrols but we still dont know when. Those patrols are not the solution for harassment it is a pain killer as a result we must try to find that solution. I am still unsure of what is a grass root solution but for now i think filing reports and having them pay fines will perhaps make the harassment less.

I urge every girl who got harassed to file a report and not to leave it or ignore, it is OUR RIGHT as women to walk in the streets safely and NO ONE will give us this right we must take it ourselves.”

Visit the event Facebook page to see an album of the patrollers in action.

While there have been campaigns against harassment before over Eid, I like that this one was offline, in the streets, and visibly showed that harassment is not okay and that there are a lot of people willing to volunteer their time to try to stop it.

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“Eid in Egypt is safe everywhere”

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Via - Al-Masry Al-Youm

HarassMap, an amazing anti-street harassment group in Egypt, is running an anti-harassment campaign for Eid called “Eid in Egypt is safe everywhere.”

This week is the start of Eid, a Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan. Just as in the U.S. there often is an increase in street harassment during certain holiday times like Mardi Gras, St. Patrick’s Day, and Halloween, unfortunately in countries like Egypt where Eid is widely celebrated, it can also be a time of increased street harassment.

For example, in both 2008 and 2006, there were mass sexual assault attacks on women in the streets of Egypt during Eid and police officers were observed standing by, doing nothing.

Sadly, then, a targeted anti-harassment campaign is needed.

HarassMap writes about how to get involved,

“Help make this Eid in Egypt safe, we won’t tolerate yearly sexual harassment Eid incidents. Egyptian men and women deserve to enjoy Eid in respect, dignity and safety. Join us as we raise awareness online this Eid. You can tweet, blog, facebook or anything, or offline you can raise awareness in your community or graffiti or talk to your friends and neighbors! Speak up and let’s have a safe Eid!“

Use hashtag #EndSH on twitter. More information via Facebook.

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