Edraak Foundation for Development and Equality provides a summary of its activities during 2023. The Foundation issued the annual report of the Gender-Based Violence Crimes Observatory, which is one of the mechanisms by which the Foundation monitors the rates, frequency and forms of violent crimes directed against women and girls, in the first half of the year.
The Foundation also launched several campaigns, including the “SafeCommunication4women Campaign” concerning feminist initiatives and groups in Egypt which operate online. It focused on the role of women’s rights defenders who rely mainly on digital spaces and tools to advocate for their causes.
“Enough Clichés” is a campaign about the most frequent scenes of violence in drama series, and this campaign coincided with the month of Ramadan, which often witnesses the highest rate of drama production in Egypt. The “Emergency C” campaign on menstruation was launched by the Foundation to shed light on alternatives to sanitary pads, and how to use these alternatives hygienically and safely.
In light of the Foundation’s plan to enhance the capacities of women leaders in the public sphere, the Foundation organized a number of training programs, including “training to enhance the capacities of women leaders in society.” This training came within an ongoing series, which was started two years ago to raise the capacities of women leaders in the public sphere. During the training, the Foundation targeted 120 women and girls from 18 governorates on the republic level.
The Foundation also organized the “Gender Sensitive Reporting Training”, which included strengthening the capacities of 21 journalists from different newspapers towards gender-sensitive reporting.
You can view the full activity summary bulletin through the following link: https://edraak-eg.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Activity-summary2023.pdf
Author: edraak team
The Psychological Impact on Women During Times of War
Written by: Mirna Mohammad Matar
Researcher in Political Science
In the darkness that covers the land of Gaza, femininity is lost among the ruins of wars, as war is an act of violence. Women, who are considered the pillars of society, are subjected to various forms of violations. Women are one of the most vulnerable groups in times of armed conflicts and wars. This prompted the General Assembly to adopt Resolution No. 3318 (4) in May 1974, on the protection of women and children in emergency situations and armed conflicts.
Before displacement, Palestinian women were subjected to the most heinous crimes that disregarded women’s rights as enshrined in international law. Barbaric bombings, forced labor, and harassment such as being forced to remove their hijabs, all paint a horrifying picture of life before displacement. During the displacement process, Palestinian women faced additional violations, including bombardment, arbitrary detention, and inhumane treatment, all forming a part of the harsh reality that they face during displacement.
The long-term impact of these violations on the lives of Palestinian women cannot be ignored. The international community’s role in protecting women’s rights during armed conflict must be more effective. Women in Gaza, like women all over the world, deserve to live with dignity and freedom. They deserve the right to life, safety, and justice. The world must hear their cries.
The psychological impact of wars and conflicts on women can be immense and even devastating. Women who have faced violence and violations generally suffer from various psychological symptoms, including trauma, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- Trauma: Trauma is a natural reaction to horrific and traumatic events. Women who have experienced violence and abuse can feel traumatized, distraught and scared.
- Anxiety: Anxiety is a feeling of worry or fear that can be severe enough to interfere with daily life. Women who have experienced violence can feel anxious about personal safety and the future.
- Depression: Depression is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Women who have experienced violence can suffer from depression due to the traumatic events they have witnessed or endured.
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a psychological disorder that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Women who have faced violence and abuse can suffer from PTSD, which can cause nightmares, flashbacks and physical symptoms such as headaches and insomnia.
Psychological support and psychotherapy can be powerful tools, and even necessary alongside primary aid, to help women who have experienced violence and abuse during wars and conflicts recover and rebuild their lives. Recognizing the psychological impact of war on women and providing the necessary support is an essential step towards justice and healing.
Additionally, Palestinian women suffer from inhumane treatment during displacement, according to Ms Rana Jaber, “We had to relieve ourselves in the street or wait for a very long time.” This causes health problems for women due to the prolonged displacement and lack of transportation, with displacement journeys taking hours. Displaced women during their menstrual periods suffer significantly as they cannot stop or rest due to the occupation’s instructions to keep moving.
Palestinian women have also suffered from arbitrary arrests and stoppages during displacement, with more than fifty women from the Gaza Strip, including elderly women and infants, have been documented to have been arrested. According to testimonies, they have been subjected to abuse and ill-treatment, with their fate shrouded in complete secrecy by the occupation. For instance, Khawla Abu Zaida, a 40-year-old resident of northern Gaza, reported that her 19-year-old daughter, Aseel Abu Zaida, who was arrested during displacement, had her gold, valued at forty thousand US dollars, stolen and has not been retrieved as she remains detained by the Israeli occupation.
As a result of the war, Palestinian women are currently facing the absence of the basic necessities for a dignified life. Bathrooms, if available, are few and for general use, clean water is scarce, there is no proper sewage system or sanitation, and electricity is unavailable. The situation worsens in winter as rain pours into the tents, which lack effective means of heating. These conditions lead to disease outbreaks, especially among women, who need to maintain their health with care and attention. Nourhan Abu Nahl, who is seven months pregnant, reported that she suffered from dehydration and intestinal infections and almost lost her baby had it not been for the intervention of doctors. The dire humanitarian situation and the lack of fuel and petrol also led to the transport of Lina Abu Odeh during her labor by animal cart to the hospital, where she told us: “I lost my privacy in the weakest moment that a woman may be in and I was screaming in the street from pain and everyone saw me because I could not bear the pain, especially since the movement of the cart was increasing the pain of labor due to the broken streets as well.”
In parallel, the civil war in Sudan has had a devastating impact on women, with millions affected by gender-based violence, displacement, and loss of livelihoods. Women face various challenges, including lack of privacy, safety concerns, and limited access to education and employment opportunities. The conflict has resulted in immense suffering for women, with reports of sexual violence, rape, and other atrocities. Women-led initiatives and coalitions have emerged to address these issues and advocate for peace and women’s rights
The war has led to millions of women losing their livelihoods, savings, and access to basic services like healthcare and food. Gender-based violence, including sexual violence, has been a prevalent issue during the conflict, with reports of numerous incidents affecting women and girls. The lack of funding, humanitarian aid access, and security challenges have hindered efforts to support women in need.
Gender-Sensitive Reporting
Journalism is often referred to as the fourth estate that controls and shapes public opinion. Therefore, the Foundation prioritized including professionals in journalism and content creation among its target groups for the training program. We aimed, through the training, to enhance their understanding of gender concepts and their application in press coverage, as well as to familiarize them with legal frameworks concerning women’s rights.
Furthermore, we aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application by hosting the founder of the platform “W Laha Wogoh Okhra,” a prominent example of feminist journalism. This provided an opportunity for the trainees to gain insights into the challenges faced by feminist journalism within the Egyptian context.
Lastly, the training addressed the ethics of documenting stories involving survivors of gender-based violence.
Summary of Edraak’s Activities in the First Half of 2023
Edraak Foundation for Development and Equality provides a summary of its activities in the first half of the year from January 2023 until June 2023. In the first half of the year, the Foundation issued its annual report: the Gender-Based Violence Crimes Observatory, which is one of the mechanisms by which the Foundation monitors the rates, frequency and forms of violent crimes directed against women and girls.
The Foundation launched a number of campaigns, including the “Safe Communication4women Campaign”. The campaign revolves around feminist initiatives and groups in Egypt while focusing on the role of women’s rights defenders who rely mainly on digital spaces and tools to advocate for their causes. Another campaign was launched called “Enough Clichés”. It is a campaign about the most frequent scenes of violence in drama series, and this campaign coincided with the month of Ramadan, which witnessed the highest rate of drama production in Egypt. Then the “Emergency C” campaign on menstruation was launched to shed light on alternatives to sanitary pads, and how to use these alternatives hygienically and safely.
In light of its plan to enhance the capacities of women leaders in the public sphere, the Foundation organized several training programs, including “training to enhance the capacities of women leaders in society.” This training came within a series that the Foundation started two years ago to raise the capacities of women leaders in the public sphere. During the training, the Foundation targeted 120 women and girls from 18 governorates on the republic level. The Foundation also organized the “Gender Sensitive Reporting Training”, which included strengthening the capacities of 21 journalists from different newspapers towards gender-sensitive reporting.
To view the full activity summary flyer:
Edraak activities summary Jan 2023 – Jun 2023
Public Opinion Trends on Femicide
As part of the 16-day campaign to combat violence against women, Edraak Foundation for Development and Equality partnered with the New Woman Foundation to jointly prepare this study.
The paper aims to monitor and document trends in public opinion on the murder of women and girls throughout the year, examining various periods and geographical regions. It seeks to assess the extent of public and social influencers’ interaction with these crimes, whether positively or negatively. By doing so, it aims to provide insight into societal attitudes towards violence against women and girls and reflect the public opinion trends.
The research paper aims to track extremist opinions and ideas that emerge after each crime, including those sympathizing with perpetrators and justifying the killings, as well as opinions opposing violence and advocating against the killing of women and girls. These perspectives come from various sources, including community members, groups, movements, associations, feminist and human rights organizations, as well as influencers such as clerics, media professionals, and public figures. The study utilizes a purposive sample to monitor trends in public opinion.
The study focuses on three girls—Naira Ashraf, Salma Bahgat, and Nourhan Hussein—who represent different communities (Gharbia, Sharqia, and Cairo). These cases were chosen because they garnered significant public attention and influenced societal discourse. The victims were publicly murdered in broad daylight due to their refusal to marry their perpetrators or continue their relationships.
Read the full study in Arabic (for the translated version of the study, please contact us): اتجاهات الرأى العام فى جرائم قتل النساء والفتيات-1
Violence Crimes Observatory Report – 2021
The report aims to provide an analytical reading of the crimes of violence against women and girls in Egypt during 2021, as it relied on both descriptive and analytical approaches in collecting information and data, where the press coverage of the majority of gender-based violence crimes against women and girls in official and private newspapers issued in the spatial scope of Arab Republic of Egypt and during a time frame that includes 2021, was monitored and documented.
You can view the report here: Observatory_Report_2021
Ink on Paper “The Crime of Child Marriage”
Child or underage marriage is a crime deeply entrenched in the norms of Egyptian society, particularly in rural communities and Upper Egypt. It is one of the most widespread forms of complex violence, violating not only the rights of girls but also robbing them of their childhood, often resulting in severe health and psychological issues.
According to a number of international organizations, 12 million girls around the world are married before the age of 18 every year. Egypt and Yemen have some of the highest rates of underage marriage in the Arab region and the Middle East.
Indicators show that the rates of child marriage have increased since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, as economic conditions and destitution mainly push families to get rid of their daughters.
Given the prevalence of child marriage in Egyptian society and its multifaceted impact on social, economic, health, and psychological aspects, this paper aims to explore the primary causes of this issue. Additionally, it proposes recommendations to address and mitigate child marriage within the Egyptian context, while also examining legislative efforts made since 2017 to criminalize the practice.
The paper delves into several key aspects, including defining the phenomenon of child marriage, its underlying causes, and the stance of legislators. This analysis is juxtaposed with the realities of child marriage on the ground and its consequences for both society and the state. Furthermore, it evaluates the effectiveness of the National Strategy to Combat Early Marriage (2015-2020) and offers recommendations aimed at combating this phenomenon within Egyptian society.
For your perusal: Ink on paper (1)
The Economic Cost of Child Marriage
Written by – Toqa Mokhtar Hussein
Toqa Mokhtar – Content Creator at صُوتِك Your Voice Initiative
The phenomenon of child marriage continues to contribute to the spread of poverty and restricts the economic growth of the country. Child marriage has economic costs for the state and negative impacts on human development. A new report published by the World Bank and the International Center for Research on Women confirms that developing countries will lose trillions of dollars by 2030 due to child marriage. It also indicated that preventing child marriage has positive effects on the economies of these countries, including:
- Preventing child marriage will have significant positive effects on the educational attainment of girls and their future children and contribute to women having fewer children, increasing their expected income and improving the future well-being of their families.
- It will reduce the overall fertility rates, leading to a significant decrease in population growth rates over time. This in turn will result in increased annual welfare gains.
- It will reduce child mortality rates for children under five and rates of stunted growth due to inadequate nutrition (stunting). Globally, estimates suggest that the benefits of reducing under-five mortality and malnutrition rates could exceed 90 billion dollars annually by 2030.
- Governments will benefit from budget savings due to reduced spending on basic education, health services, and other services.
“Other Box” – Blackmail
Written by: Nourhan Ismail
Author and Founder of The Other Sex Podcast
The internet has been my friend since high school; it helped me break out of my isolation and opened my eyes to the outside world, not just outside my home, but outside Egypt as well.
It increased my knowledge and helped me with my college projects, then because of it, I was hired by several companies, and it gave me the opportunity to work abroad as well. The internet has been my window to the world for over twenty years and has contributed significantly to the success of my own business, and all of my work. Because of it, I published my articles, books, and works, and I earned a lot from it, and it helped me to connect closely with everyone and everything I love.
These are the public stories I have always bragged about since learning how to navigate the digital world, which remains a significant part of my work today. Digital marketing and intellectual property protection are the foundation of my work, followed by managing my content, whether for my writing page or my relationship podcast. However, there are hidden aspects I have always hidden because, of course, it was easier to blame me than to face the truth that we – girls- are frequently subjected to digital violence and blackmail without much support from society.
A single conversation or a single photo sent to someone you trusted can lead to severe psychological battles, threats of scandal and even exploitation just because as a girl, you wouldn’t dare tell your parents about this threat in your life, because you trusted someone and sent them a private message or a photo without a hijab or even opened the camera in a conversation between you two.
Unfortunately, many girls cannot reveal what they experience in our society. Our society blames the girl for her behaviour, regardless of how she was tricked by the person who exploited or took advantage of her feelings for him, kindness, or trust in him. The society often disregards the danger, regret, and depression resulting from experiencing such psychological violence.
Sharing a photo without a hijab, or even an ordinary yet private photo, can suddenly turn into a threat of scandal or exploitation to demand more. A single private photo can lead to requests for more photos and videos, all under the threat of maintaining your reputation or facing a scandal.
The problem nowadays is that it is easy to access the account of the girl’s father or mother or the whole world around her, making scandalizing her easier than it used to be. Digital communication on all platforms has made it easier to blackmail. It also made it easier to spread news and scandals.
Sending a photo or video may cause blackmail and bargaining in the form of extortion for other requests under the threat of a scandal, whether intentional or not. Someone may resort to sending a virus link and then have the ability to access all the files on a girl’s phone, resulting in possessing complete files, not just a single photo. The danger can come not only from those we trust but, from any message we receive.
The threat may include a series of demands that a girl cannot refuse out of fear of being blamed, criticized, reproached, and punished. Unfortunately, this can lead to a form of control over her thoughts and actions until she complies with the blackmailer’s demands who is determined to exert his power over her. Eventually, she may end up either as a victim of rape, human or organ trafficking, prostitution, or she may even commit suicide out of desperation not to be exposed.
This is not the only thing that can destroy a girl on the internet. I have noticed the amount of attacks on girls’ opinions on any issue or even a photo. The attacks start with silencing her, belittling her opinion or even attacking her and sending hurtful messages to her and her family. Sometimes, it even includes messages just for harassment!
The internet and the digital community are often unsafe because they allow everyone and anyone to comment and attack without being subject to strict censorship. This could be due to the language differences between platform rules and written content.
I recently commented on a feminist page’s post about ‘reasons for ending a relationship by the girl in different cases’, and even though the page is feminist and mainly targets girls, I found a sudden attack from men. The pathetic thing was that they all were using the word ‘’feminist’’ as if it was an insult or a curse. This is extremely disturbing and, in my opinion, constitutes intellectual terrorism aimed to continuously undermine women’s freedom of expression and belittle their opinions.
What is more concerning is when you open your messages in the others box and find messages from unknown individuals, some offering or requesting sexual services, others insulting your opinions, or verbally harassing you just because they saw a regular photo of the girl.
The digital world is full of endless harassment, characterized by the boldness or impudence of the men who harass women, due to the absence of supervision or the certainty that there is no punishment. Men justify their transgressions on the girl’s right to post her photos or write on the internet by claiming that she allowed them to do so simply because she has an account on a platform.
Blackmail is a crime with laws that punish it. Every girl must know that even if she makes a mistake, there are laws to protect her from those who transgress not only the law but also basic human ethics and principles. Every girl should realize that it is her right to speak up and report anyone who abuses or blackmails her. By reporting, she is helping the justice system to get rid of those offenders and saving not only herself and others from falling into the same trap.
Consequently, Egyptian girls and women should beware of falling into such traps, even from close people, as it can severely affect their mental health due to the fear and anxiety from threats. It is the perpetrator who violated your rights and privacy and you only have to report him and learn how to manage your content and photos, and not hesitate to seek help before becoming deeply entangled. Offenders feel a sense of victory when they see their victims’ weakness, but reporting and trusting that someone will defend you means you are not alone in this battle.
