Women embrace anti-abuse campaign

The #MeToo campaign which saw women around the world share their experiences of sexual assault has struck a deep chord in Egypt. A report on the News24 site notes that victims are documenting their own experiences in the latest attempt to address the endemic problem. Activist Mozn Hassan said the #MeToo campaign – which sprung up in reaction to revelations over alleged sexual harassment by film producer Harvey Weinstein – showed that women in Egypt have become more courageous. Inflammatory comments by a lawyer saying it is a ‘national duty’ to rape scantily clad women have also been shared online, drawing condemnation from the government's National Council for Women. Taher Aboelnasr, a lawyer who has handled sexual harassment cases, said the campaign ‘was limited’ to the middle and upper classes.