The Egyptian Center for Women Rights (ECWR) stated that the election of Representative ‘Phoebe Fawzi’ as the Second Deputy Speaker of the Senate- as the first woman and Coptic to be appointed this position- is an important step which paves the way for women to access all decision-making positions, in accordance with their participation in public life and their role in the economy.
ECWR confirmed in its press statement that this is considered a victory for the Egyptian woman and her political role. It is an important step for women’s empowerment in the political field, as well as pushing for the progress of Egypt’s ranking in the international reports. According to the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report 2019, Egypt ranked 103 out of 153 countries in the women’s political empowerment index, and had ranked 122 out of 149 countries in 2018.
ECWR indicates to the recent Senate elections which came out with 40 female representatives, including 20 from the electoral lists and 20 appointees. This means that the percentage of women in the 2020 Egyptian Senate is 13.3%.
The last Shura Council – currently ‘The Senate’- elections in 2012 resulted in the presence of 12 female members, 5 of them by election, and 8 female members were appointed, representing only 6.6%.
This confirms the role of Quota as a positive measure for the presence of women in the elections, and not leaving the matter to the desires of political parties, who do not resort to nominating women except when they have to do so.
