Egypt: Egyptian women journalists broke their silence to combat misogyny and hold perpetrators accountable.

August 21, 2020, Cairo --  Hundreds of women journalists issued a joint statement denouncing misogyny, extending solidarity to victims of sexual harassment and assault on August 20. CFWIJ applauds this gesture of unity and supports the demands made by women journalists.

On August 20, 2020, a page was created on Facebook titled “ Egyptian women journalists”.  It includes a statement signed by hundreds of women journalists calling for urgent investigation in media institutions against investigative journalist and trainer Hisham Allam.

Over the past week, more than five testimonies came out from women journalists who were assaulted, raped, and harassed by him. The testimonies became horrifying and shocking as more victims came forward.

The statement urged the press syndicate and media institutions to initiate urgent investigations over these allegations with this journalist and to set a strategy to combat sexual harassment in media. It called upon the syndicate to form an independent permanent committee to receive and review these kinds of complaints.

In response to the statement, president of the press syndicate, Diaa Rashwan issued a statement condemning sexual harassment and calling upon women journalists to file charges in the prosecution office. He didn’t respond to the demands of women journalists from the syndicate to open investigations and form an independent committee. Mr. Diaa continued “these kinds of claims are criminalized in the Egypt penal code so I encourage victims to file cases and we will provide them with legal assistance.”  He also elaborated that any journalist convicted will be crossed out from the syndicate. The statement didn’t meet women journalists' expectations though.

Over the past two months, Egypt witnessed a moment of truth and exposure combatting sexual harassment. This movement sparked because of horrific harassment incidents posted on several social media platforms. One of them is a student at the American University in Cairo allegedly harassed, assaulted, and raped over 50 girls. These accusations roamed social media and triggered a torrent of testimonies from all categories and sectors of the society.

Subsequently, this movement led to the amendment of criminal procedures law in Egypt to guarantee the secrecy and protection of sexual harassment survivors. It gave them the right to obtain anonymity status in legal papers and media. Human rights groups considered this a significant improvement and pledged to encourage more women to come forward with no fear of stigmatization.

CFWIJ has observed the escalated movement of revelation on social media platforms led by women journalists and activists in Egypt. Their posts and testimonies were described as the “Egyptian #Metoo movement.”

Throughout our conduct, CFWIJ has noted the absence of policies to protect women journalists in newsrooms in many countries. This led to various forms of discrimination, harassment, marginalization, and intimidation towards women journalists. Egypt is at the forefront. Over the past two months, we received 20 testimonies from Egyptian women journalists concerning sexual harassment in the workplace against women journalists.

CFWIJ sensed the pressing need for a concrete strategy to combat sexual harassment and other forms of threats that women journalists encountering in newsrooms and media outlets in Egypt.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands with women journalists’ demands for fair and rapid investigation against sexual abusers. We demand that clear mechanisms are put in place to address women journalists' complaints and protect them in media institutions.