Rapping for respect towards women
Introducing Mayam Mahmoud! She is a young Egyptian woman, who is playing her part
in trying to make her country stand up, listen and do something about the endemic harassment of women in this country. She first appeared in ‘Arabs got talent’ and very quickly was awarded the Index Arts Award for the voice of free expression. The dress she was wearing for the occasion was one with many examples of graffiti that has appeared in Egypt, regarding women’s rights. As she raps, she speaks strongly about the rights of women and ‘how freedom is our duty before it becomes her right’!
http://www.indexoncensorship.org/2014/03/the-index-arts-award-winner-mayam-mahmoud/
What is Harassment?
In Egypt, it is said that 98% of all foreigners who visit, and 83% of all Egyptian women have been harassed in some way in their lives:
* whistles
* lewd words
* leering looks and jeers
* being grabbed
* being stalked
* constantly being telephoned
* … and worse!
Mayam is a public figure representing the new generation of women who will no longer ‘just live with’ what is now so prevalent in this country. She talks about the things that others might not have the courage to even mention. She brings about a sense of hope for so many young girls, enthusiastic female students and young women who daily have to live with a barrage of filth. Mostly this is from boys and younger men. As these women walk the streets daily: to school and university and take public transport back home, the fear is always there.
Is this acceptable?
One of the problems is that some men have come to accept that this behaviour as their ‘right’. I was recently told by one young woman, who had a truly horrid experience in Cairo, that when her harass-ers when confronted by other men (who tried to protect her), the harass-ers claimed:
‘We are Egyptian, this is what we do!’
Usually the blame is put on what the women are (or are not) wearing. However most research indicates that clothing has very little to do with the real reason behind harassment! The lack of respect and blatant disregard of women, considering them nothing but a ‘thing to be grabbed’ is becoming increasingly evident.
What can be done?
It must be said that usually for every male (or group of males) who is taunting a woman or girl, there are several who are willing to come to help. Assistance can be found. Many men will try and help, and heap an angry tirade on the perpetrators, with possibly even a punch or 2!
However many feel that a lot more can and needs to be done within the legal and justice systems, as well as education in schools and reinforcement in the homes. All women should be treated with respect, and if not, then the males responsible should be dealt with strongly and fairly.
What about foreign visitors?
We would like to encourage all foreigner visitors to dress modestly, not reinforcing the stereotype that all foreigners are ‘loose’! Also, single women should not travel around alone, especially if this is a first visit to the country. If you are going out at night, go in a group, and make sure you have a trusted person who can speak the local language with you.
Speak out against harassment where you can, encourage the women and girls around you not to be ashamed and to stand strong and demand change in the nation. But also encourage the men and boys you meet, to respect women and girls, and be their protectors, not their harassers!