Egypt's anti-harassment march

Egyptian women groups have organised a protest in Tahrir Square against sexual harassment of women in politics. The event, on Wednesday, is specifically aimed at the exclusion of women from Egyptian political life, with emphasis on the recent celebrations of the second anniversary of "January 25" revolution, where women say they were threatened and sexually harassed. The march has been organised by Operation Anti-Sexual Harassment group, which claims that 19 cases of sexual assault were reported after the celebrations in Tahrir Square. The group adds that "knives and sharp instruments" were used in the sexual violence. The protesters said they want to show that Egyptian women will not be deterred from participating in revolutionary activities, by the "organised terrorism being practised against them, from harassment to systematic rape." The group expressed its disappointment at the lack of support from revolutionary parties and protest organisers, saying that they didn't take responsibility in securing the square and protecting the women from sexual assault. Founder and Director of Appropriate Communication Techniques (ACT), and feminist activist, Dr Azza Kamel said that "the harassment against women in Tahrir Square is a systematic practice to break their will and prevent them from demonstrating."