Clinton Condemns Egyptian Violence Against Women
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has made a speech condemning the assaults on Egyptian women.
Clinton gave the speech at Georgetown University in Washington and addressed the plight of women in Egypt in light of recent actions taken by the government. Protests broke out in Tahrir Square on Friday, with civilian protesters upset that military leaders have not ceded power to the people.
Yesterday the fighting came to a boiling point, with video footage of one young woman being unveiled and dragged through the streets by Egyptian forces. She was then stomped upon and kicked by soldiers. Egypt is a country that highly values female modesty, and the unveiling is a form of utmost humiliation.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
Clinton addressed the crowd yesterday and explained the United States “plans to better protect women from conflict-related violence and promote women’s leadership and perspectives in all aspects of conflict prevention, resolution, relief and recovery,” according to an event notice.
The timing of events in Egypt could not have been more fated for Clinton’s address. She told the crowd, “Women protesters have been rounded up and subjected to horrific abuses. Journalists have been sexually assaulted. And now, women are being attacked, stripped, and beaten in the streets.”
Adding, “This systematic degradation of Egyptian women dishonors the revolution, disgraces the state and its uniform and is not worthy of a great people.”
Egyptians have had a tumultuous month filled with violence as they move toward a more democratic regime. They have taken part in two rounds of elections, with the self-described “moderate” Muslim Brotherhood winning a majority of seats in the country’s Parliament.
The Salafist party, which has stated it will practice Shariah law, came in second. Many analysts fear that the Salafist party will move to limit women’s rights and freedoms in the country.
Clinton addressed the lack of women in decision-making and stated: “At the same time, they have been specifically targeted both by security forces and by extremists.”
Dr. Caryn Riswold, Associate Professor of Religion at Illinois College told The Christian Post: “This fits into both a pattern of backlash against women as they gain social power and status, and illustrates the reality of women’s particular vulnerabilities in times of political, social, and economic unrest.”
In 1995, Clinton gave a speech at the United Nations Conference on Women. She made the argument: “Human rights are women’s rights, and women’s rights are human rights once and for all.”
She has been very active in the role of bringing women’s stories to light and working to ensure equality in countries that oppress women. In an article published by The Guardian in January, Madeleine Bunting claimed: “She (Clinton) is the most powerful politician to advance an explicitly feminist agenda.”
Critics, however, state that Clinton is too brash in her agenda, and many feel that she sacrifices the good of many for the good of a few.
Women in Egypt gathered in Tahrir Square to draw attention to the police brutality. A small group of men formed a protective border around them as the crowd grew and chanted in the streets.
