Women's rights constantly improving

Mervat El-Tellawi, Secretary-General of National Women's Council and member of the formal Egyptian delegation presently attending the UN,asserted that women's rights are constantly progressing in Egypt because the political leadership has made the issue a top priority.

President Mubarak's decision to establish the National Women's Council, along with the passing of the Personal Status Law, are tangible proof that the Egyptian government is exerting substantial effort in this regard.

She added that since development plans aim to put an end to women's poverty, for example by guaranteed pensions and broadening the social security safety net, it will improve conditions in the whole of society.

The main topic of the UN session was women's equality with men, and this was addressed by El-Tellawi when she explained that the Egyptian Constitution gives equality to all citizens regardless of sex, religion, ethnic origin or language.

Finally, El-Tellawi stressed the importance of the role of the media in increasing women's cultural and social awareness about issues such as domestic violence.