SEPARATE TRAIN CARS FOR WOMEN IN EGYPT STARTING TODAY
Cairo, 26 Rabiul Awwal 1434/6 February 2013 (MINA) – The Egyptian Railways Authority is set to enforce women’s-only train cars on several popular routes to and from the capital starting Wednesday.
The move is part of its efforts to curb sexual harassment, which is rampant across the pyramid country, according to Egypt Independent report monitored by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).
According to state-run daily newspaper Al Ahram, the No. 909 train connecting Cairo and Alexandria departing at 9am will host the first women’s car.
The No. 957 train to Zagazig and the No. 513 train to al-Qanater al-Khaireyah will also boast exclusive cars for women.
Several rights and women’s group claim the rate of sexual harassment and violence has increased sharply as of late, especially after women’s involvement in several demonstration action.
In early February 2013, according to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights said that about 25 people reported experienced sexual assault in Tahir square Cairo during a demonstration to commemorating the second year of the revolution.
In a statement issued on Thursday (31/1), the UN women’s Michele Bachelet urged Egyptian leaders enforce the laws and mechanisms that ensure the protection of women and children, and to promote human rights for all.
“As a dynamic force in civil society, women continue to demand their rights, equal participation in decision-making, and uphold the principles of the revolution by the highest levels of leadership in Egypt,”She said.
Egyptian women are already afforded private metro cars in Cairo, which comprise the only public transportation that separates genders.
In 2008, an Egyptian court dismissed a lawsuit filed by two lawyers demanding the end of women’s-only cars on the grounds that separating the sexes violates gender equality.
The court ruled that allocating cars to women did not fall under its jurisdiction and added that Islamic law emphasizes respect for women, which obligates the state to protect them.
Egyptian railways are among the oldest in the world and were first established in 1834.(T/P03/E1)
Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)
