News Press release

The Egyptian parliament after the revolution, women thrown back 11 years Half of the population represents by 2 %

The Revolution of 25 January 2011 opened the doors of hope for a new future of Egypt with social justice and equal rights for women. In particular women’s participation in the revolution impressed the world and was praised by everyone. Also in the recent parliamentary elections, women participated in an unprecedented number. 984 female candidates ran for a seat in the
new parliament; 633 women were nominated in the party-lists and 351 ran as individual candidates.

In the absence of legal procedures, including the abolition of the quota system, which ensure fair and equal representation all sectors of society, including women, the result were disappointing, as expected. Only 9 women from party lists and no female individual candidate were elected and
additionally, two women were appointed. Hence, only 11 women have won a seat in the People’s Assembly out of the total 508 seats; Women represent 2% of all members. This number reminds us about the results of the parliamentary election of 2000, when 7 women were elected and 4 appointed, reaching a total number of 11 women.

A table shows the names of female winners in the People’s Assembly 2011/2012
No Name Affiliation of Parties Governoratre & District Category
1 Margret A’azer Waffed Cairo-Second Labor
2 Hanan Sa’ad Abu El Ghaet Hassan Waffed Damietta Labor
3 Sana’a Ahmed Gamal El-Dein The Egyptian Bloc( The Egyptian Social Democrats) Asyuit – Second Labor
4 Huda Mohamed Anwar Abdel Rahman Ghanaya The Freedom & Justice Qalubaya – First Professionalism
5 Reda Abdallah Mohamad The Freedom & Justice Sharqaya – First Professionalism
6 Azza Mohamad Ibrahim El-Garaf The Freedom & Justice Giza – Second Farmer
7 Magda Hassan El-Newashy Waffed Ismalaia Labor
8 Fada Salem Ebaid Allah Salem The Reform & Development South Sinai Professionalism
9 Seham Abdel Lattef Mohamed El-Yamani The Freedom & Justice Daqahlaya – First Labor
10 Suzi Adli Nashed Appointed    
11 Maryan Malak Kamal Appointed    

It seems that time has not just time stopped but the time has gone backwards regarding women’s situation in Egypt. Internationally, Egypt occupies a low rank regarding women’s parliamentary representation. Due to the low percentage of women in parliament in Egypt, 2% compared to a
global average of 18 % and 30% in leading democracies, Egypt is ranked 130 among 188 countries.

Although the parliament of the revolution does not represent women justly, there is still hope that the this parliament will care about Egyptian women’s participation and pay attention to women’s concerns and their equal rights. Therefore, ECWR demands the Legislative Council to take action to the ensure women represent at least 30 % of members in all elected councils in Egypt.