Egyptian women and the right to vote
Egypt, Culture, 3/5/2001

On March 3rd, 1956, Egyptian women were given the right to vote in parliamentary elections for the first time in the history of Egypt. A bill also allowed women to nominate themselves for membership of the National Assembly.

The constitution of 1956, which was amended by a contemporary constitution two years later, said: "Citizens are equal in front of the law. They are equal in their rights and duties. There is no discrimination because of sex, origin, language or religion."

Under the auspices of the 1956 constitution, some women nominated themselves in the National Assembly elections. Rawya Attia and Amina Shoukri won in their constituencies and became the first female members of parliament in the history of Egypt.

When the National Federation elections were staged in 1958, Egyptian women joined the battle. Some of them nominated themselves and a larger number practiced their right to vote. Many female candidates won and a special office was established to take care of women's social and political issues.

After Egypt issued socialist resolutions in 1961, the preparatory committee of the National Conference of People recommended that five per cent of the 1,500 members should be women.

The 11th item of Egypt's permanent constitution, issued in 1971, said:

"The state shoulders the task of matching the woman's duties towards her family and her social work, in addition to her equality with men in political, social, cultural and economic fields, without violating the principles of the Islamic Sharia."

The 14th item of the same constitution states that public posts are offered people without discrimination between men and women.

Women's participation in political activities developed after the application of the multiparty system. Within the framework of this system, women are able to help in solving social problems through their political party activities.

There are now 9 women among the 454 members of the People's Assembly, and 13 women in the 264-member Shura Council.

Kassim Amin was one of the most prominent advocates of women's rights. Early this century, he called for offering women their basic political and social rights. His chef d'oeuvre "Modern Woman", published in 1900, called for a wider role for women in political activities. The book described women as the basis for social reform in Egypt.

The first Egyptian feminist federation was formed on March 16, 1923, to mark the 4th anniversary of the first political demonstration staged by Egyptian women against the British occupation. The federation, chaired by Hoda Sha'arawi, defended women's rights.

During World War Two, new women's associations were established calling for offering women their political rights as part of a total drive to give the Egyptians their political freedom.

In 1949, the largest campaign was staged to advocate allowing women to participate in various political activities. It was backed by prominent intellectuals such as Taha Hussein and Salama Moussa.

When the July 23rd Revolution took place, it called for complete equality amongst people in a society prevailed by justice. The election law gave women parliamentary rights. Some women now chair parliamentary committees.

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