For Egypt's women, it's more harassment and fewer rights

Rebecca Chiao, a spokesperson for the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights, outlined a campaign to stop sexual harassment, involving media and public outreach, lobbying for new laws and penalties, and an educational film for primary school children. "The Street is Ours" has garnered unprecedented public support, suggesting women's concern about being pressured into remaining at home when their economic and other civic contributions are most desperately needed.

Despite the state's official stance of fostering women's participation in development, the ECWR affirms that sexual harassment has become "an official tool of intimidation." The ECWR cites the abuse of Sinai women at the hands of police interrogators following the 2004 terrorist attacks, and the intimidation of women voters at the 2005 election polls.