Section Four: Some of the efforts made by the Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights
1. Several civil society organizations and political forces sent proposals to amend the inactivated Constitution, to the Committee assigned to amend the constitution.
Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights sent proposal titled “Basic Principles for ensuring women’s rights in the constitution” an attempt to guarantee the rights of Egyptian women in the new constitution, stressing that the articles need to be clear and do not have more than one meaning, and the summary of what came in this proposal is:
- Preamble
In order to guarantee equality between women and men, constitutional articles must be clear and that starts from the preamble of the Constitution, it must contain clear signals to establish the principle of equality between women and men and the phrases must addressed to men and women instead of mysterious words like people or citizens, Rwandan constitution is considered as one of the best constitutions, and a model in the preamble that holds equality between women and men.
- The principle of non-discrimination
Formulating the principle of non-discrimination must be with clear and detailed articles, in order to narrow the field in front of explanation before the court, the principle must be formulated with the utmost precision and details and specificity, one of the best constitutions that accurately discussed the principle of non-discrimination are Constitutions of Morocco, South Africa and Rwanda.
- The principle of equality in front of the law
Best drafting of the text on equality in front the law between men and women is “men and women are equal in front the law” it does not leave room for doubt or. One of the best constitutions that talked about the principle of equality in front of the law is Iraqi and Colombian constitutions.
- Political Participation
There should be a constitutional text guaranteeing quota for women in all legislative, judicial and executive authorities plus all the top positions in the state, to ensure the participation of women in political life regardless the electoral system. The best constitutions in this area include the constitutions of Afghan, Ugandan and Iraq.
- The right of equal pay at work
The presence of a clear confirmation that ensures the right of women to be equally paid with men for the same work, one of the best constitutions that talked about that subject is Ugandan constitution.
