Amber Route
International Election Law Update: Women’s Political Equality at Risk in the New Egypt
“As existing governments scramble to change and new governments emerge, all must commit to respecting women’s equality, both in law and in practice. But women will only have that equality if they actively engage in all the negotiations and decisions taking place during this time of transition.”
Human Rights Now, March 8, 2011
Within days of the revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak from his 30 year rule of Egypt, helping to incite the “Arab Spring” that is still roiling the Middle East, concerns were being raised about the impact of “democratization” on the rights of women. Legal and advocacy groups voiced repeated warnings that without vigilance by the international community, women and women’s rights would largely be excluded from the new democracy.
Regrettably, the procedural and substantive revisions proposed to Egypt’s Constitution and Election Laws are proving these fears true.
“Did the Egyptian revolution erupt to take Egyptian women a step backward?”
The Daily New Egypt, April 18, 2011
First, women were excluded from the Constitutional Committee assembled to formulate amendments to Egypt’s constitution, including laws effecting eligibility for president and the supervision of elections. This was decried by dozens of Egyptian organizations. Yet the March referendum passed, approving constitutional amendments affecting political rights that were written exclusively by men, and which make no mention of equality for women. Indeed, Article 7, which prohibits discrimination, is silent on gender: “All citizens are equal before the law.They have equal public rights and duties without discrimination on grounds of race, ethnic origin, language, religion or creed.” Women stood side by side with men and saw their own blood spill in the popular uprising, only to be sidelined by those male counterparts in the post-Revolution rebuilding.
Subsequent to the constitutional referendum, Prime Minister Essam Sharaf sacked 20 governors; in response, he said, to popular demand to rout corruption. Not a single female replacement was appointed and once again, women’s rights groups issued outraged responses.
The most recent move to marginalize women from the political process comes out of the effort currently underway to amend the Exercise of Political Rights Law, which will regulate Egypt’s first Parliamentary elections since the revolution. The experts and military council tasked with amending the Law had proposed to cancel the women’s quota– a system which allocated 64 seats – or 12% – of Parliament to women. An unnamed source reportedly provided this justification: “The existence of such a quota might also provide Parliament membership for feminist elements that are not suitable for the task.”
For now, it appears the council has punted the decision on whether to cancel the quota to the new Parliament, which is scheduled to be elected this September.
As Egypt moves away from the Mubarak regime, it is the legal community’s imperative to join in objecting to constitutional and statutory revisions and schemes that debilitate women’s ability to participate in the new democracy. The Parliament that is elected in September is required to write a new Constitution – the global community should have all eyes on what is happening then.
About the Author
The Law Office of Amber Rose Maltbie is a unique, California based political law practice specializing in campaign finance compliance and disclosure, lobbying rules, and governmental ethics. The firm also specializes in the intersection between international election law, gender issues, and women’s political participation. We are available to consult on elections, campaign finance statutes, and civic participation programs to promote women’s involvement in government and politics. For more information, visit us at www.ambermaltbie.com
Baltic Amber
|
|
Snail Headed Victrolas $4.74 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
|
|
Snail Headed Victrolas $7.99 … |
|
|
Ghost Tracks 1983 US LP…. |
|
|
California Dreams: Season 4 $24.99 Life, love, fun in the sun-midterms? It isn’t all beach and burgers for the California Dreams, but whatever the obstacles, they’ll take it on together. Breakups, bad luck, stolen songs, beach cleanup and high school high jinks take the dreamers through another rocking season of rolling with the punches…. |
|
|
NETGEAR RangeMax Premium Wireless-N Gigabit Router (WNR3500) $98.51 NETGEAR’s RangeMax Premium Wireless-N Gigabit Router…. |
|
|
TRENDnet 300Mbps Wireless N Gigabit Router TEW-633GR (Piano Black) $120.25 The 300Mbps Wireless N Gigabit Gaming Router incorporates the latest wireless and Gigabit networking technology to increase speed, range, security and reliability. The router provides unsurpassed gaming and network experience and performance. Advanced antenna and 802.11 N technology increases wireless data range and coverage. Enjoy lag-free gaming and file transfers on your wired Gigabit computers… |
|
|
Buybits MICRO suction cup window arm mount & TOMTOM XL IQ Routes EASYPORT Mounting Ring Holder – fits Regional & Europe $14.65 This is our smallest suction cup mount, supplied with an Easy-Port ring mount which fits the following TomTom GPS Satellite Navigation systems. TomTom ONE v4 classic / assist / traffic, TomTom ONE v5 IQ Routes, XL 22 v2 classic / regional / europe, TomTom XL v3 IQ Routes, TomTom XL LIVE IQ Routes & TomTom XXL 5″ screen IQ Routes. Note: Not suitable for the TomTom START. Ideal replacement if the su… |
|
|
2003 – Action / NASCAR – RCCA – Jeff Gordon #24 – Pepsi / Talladega – Pepsi Route Van – RARE – 1 of 6,088 – 1:25 Scale Diecast Van – Limited Edition – Collectible $69.99 2003 – Action / NASCAR – RCCA – Jeff Gordon #24 – Pepsi / Talladega – RARE Van from Action Collectors Guild – Chevrolet / Pepsi Route Van – 1:25 Scale Diecast Van – Rear Opening Doors – Spare Tire Attached to Undercarriage – 1 of 6,088 Produced – Hard to Find Collectible – New – Mint – Limited Edition – Collectible… |
|
|
PIAA 13511 H11 12-Volt Plasma Ion Crystal Yellow 55=100-Watt Bulb – Twin Pack $50.66 Piaa Corporation Usa 13511 H11 Plsma Ion Ylw 55=110w,Tw… |
|
|
PIAA 13556 H3 Style Plasma Ion Crystal Yellow 55=110-Watt Bulb – Twin Pack $32.25 Piaa Corporation Usa 13556 H3 55=85w Plasma Yellow (Pr)… |