NCW submits bill on violence against women

Luiz Sanchez
2 Min Read
Egyptian protesters hold up placards and shout slogans during a demonstration in Cairo against sexual harassment on February 12, 2013. (AFP FILE PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI)
Egyptian protesters hold up placards and shout slogans during a demonstration in Cairo against sexual harassment on February 12, 2013. Egyptian protesters took to the street again to demand an end to sexual violence, as campaigns against the repeated attacks in central Cairo pick up steam. Sexual harassment has long been a problem in Egypt, but recently the violent nature and frequency of the attacks have raised the alarm. AFP PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI
Egyptian protesters hold up placards and shout slogans during a demonstration in Cairo against sexual harassment on February 12, 2013. (AFP FILE PHOTO / KHALED DESOUKI)

The National Council for Women has finished drafting a bill aimed at addressing all forms of violence against women.

According to Aswat Masriya, the final draft was submitted to President Mohamed Morsi, Prime Minister Hesham Qandil and Minister of Justice Ahmed Suleiman.

The council had consulted with civil society organisations, feminist movements and criminal law experts during the drafting process in order to properly define sexual harassment, rape and other violent and non-violent crimes against women.

The council made several amendments to its initial draft based on the suggestions of the groups.

Some amendments to the draft law were submitted by groups to distinguish between rape and sexual harassment, making it easier for investigators and the judiciary to pass judgment, Aswat Masriya said.

Rape, according to the draft law, is defined as sexual intercourse with a female without consent, separating it from other crimes of a sexual nature.

“Considering committing violence against women and the arbitrary deprivation of women from exercising their public and personal rights” are, under the bill, considered crimes, as is the destruction of evidence or the manipulation of documents pertaining to such cases.

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Luiz is a Brazilian journalist in Cairo @luizdaVeiga
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