Should women cover up so men can fast in Egypt?
An online campaign calling for "girls to dress modestly during Ramadan" has provoked the ire of critics who see it as a veiled call for sexual harassment under the pretext of piety.
A social media campaign calling for parents "to ensure that their daughters dress modestly in public so that citizens can fast" has sparked wide controversy in Egypt.
The online campaign, launched days ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, provoked a backlash from liberal activists and women's rights advocates. It was, however, supported by conservatives in the patriarchal society. The campaign's proponents believe that immodest or revealing clothes worn by women during Ramadan distract men from their fast, an assumption that many women found insulting.
"The campaign is in fact a call for sexual harassment under the guise of fake piety," wrote Rabab Kamal, a radio broadcaster and Facebook user, in a comment published May 6 on her page. Her comment has been "liked" by more than 400 followers who clearly oppose the "modesty" push.
"It reflects a real-life situation where men give themselves the right to approve of or punish women for what they wear," tweeted Cairo-based journalist Amira El-Fekki in criticism of the campaign's message.
