Egypt’s women face growing sexual harassment

Some women in Egypt say they suffer catcalls, groping and other sexual harassment daily. For a time it seemed that the Tahrir Square protests might point to progress, but the attack on TV reporter Lara Logan and others showed otherwise.

Catcalls, fondling, indecent exposure and other forms of sexual harassment by strangers are an everyday occurrence for women on the streets of Cairo, according to human rights groups, social scientists, diplomats and interviews with Egyptians. Moreover, predatory packs have brutalized women at several public places, including a soccer stadium, in recent years, according to witnesses and local news accounts.

“There is increasing violence against women in our society,” said Nehad Abul Komsan, head of the Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights, a nongovernmental group that campaigns against such abuse.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-egypt-women-abuse-20110223,0,3351610,full.story

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