Egyptian women worry about losing rights under new President Morsi's rule

Cairo, July 4 (ANI): Egyptian women have expressed concerns about losing their rights under the recently chosen President Mohamed Morsi.

Women in Egypt have been intimidated that Morsi's victory would herald an increase in piousness and hijabs, Los Angeles Times reports.

"Tomorrow, Morsi will cover you all up, your days are over," Nadeen Gamil, who had endured years of sexual harassment, said.

According to Ashraf Sherif, political science professor at American University in Cairo, said that the Brotherhood has "Islamist views that are not representative of democracy, such as their idea of women.

"The organization is very authoritarian and elitist and internal practices don't encourage self-critique or accountability," Sherif said.

Sherif, an expert on the Islamic political movement, added that the Brotherhood perceives their leadership to be infallible, while youth and women are not represented in decision-making.

Women make up to at least 52 percent of Egyptian society, and 33 percent of them are considered the sole bread earners in their households.

However, the state, even after the Arab Spring uprising, has largely failed to protect them from sexual assault and domestic violence.

The role of women has been further complicated by Najla Mahmoud, Morsi's wife and Egypt's first lady, who wears long headscarves and traditional dresses.

Despite concern that a Morsi government might further curtail women's rights, a recent Gallup Poll showed that many Egyptian women were not worried about implementation of sharia, or Islamic law, or dramatic changes under the new president.

A poll also revealed that as long as there's a struggling economy and high unemployment, there may be a "greater threat to women's rights than public support for religious legislation."

Morsi said his aim is to build a unified government that protects the rights of all. He has vowed to name one woman and one Christian Copt to be his vice presidents. (ANI)

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