Egypt amends law to intensify protection of women against sexual harassment
The president of Egypt Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has signed a document to amend parts of the country’s penal code to impose stricter punishments on persons convicted of sexual harassment against women and other related offences.
El-Sisi signed on December 12, Law 185 of 2023 which aims to amongst others impose higher sanctions including fines to the tune of EGP 300,000 ($ 9,708) and a prison sentence of up to a minimum of 10 years, Ahram Online reports.
The penalty for the offence of harassment under the old law ranged from 6 months to 5 years of imprisonment, accompanied by a fine that could reach up to 50,000 Egyptian pounds ($ 1,618), Egyptian Streets reports.
Under the amended provisions, the first paragraph of the article stipulates that individuals engaging in sexual or obscene insinuations in public or private spaces can face imprisonment for a minimum of two years and a maximum of four years. Alternatively, they may incur a fine ranging from a minimum of EGP100,000 ($3,233) to a maximum of EGP 200,000 ($6,466), or a combination of both penalties.
This comprises actions involving sexual or pornographic suggestions through gestures, words, or deeds, using various communication methods such as wired, wireless, electronic, or any other technological means.
The second paragraph of the article outlines a punishment of imprisonment for a period not less than three years and not exceeding five years, accompanied by a fine of no less than EGP 200,000 ($6,466) and not exceeding EGP 300,000 ($ 9,708)
These penalties may be applied if the offence occurs in the workplace, on public transportation, involves two or more individuals, if the perpetrator is carrying a weapon, or if the act is repeated through the pursuit and stalking of the victim. Where two or more aggravating circumstances are present, the minimum prison sentence becomes four years. In instances of recurrence, both imprisonment and fine penalties are doubled within their respective minimum and maximum limits.
Research conducted by UN Women in 2013 under the theme “Study on Ways and Methods to Eliminate Sexual Harassment in Egypt” concluded that “over 99.3 % of Egyptian girls and women surveyed reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment in their lifetime.” Further, “82.6 percent of the total female respondents did not feel safe or secure in the street. The percentage increased to 86.5 percent with regard to safety and security in public transportation.”
