Controversy erupts over women's role in political life in Egypt
The head of Egypt's National Council for Women, a government body dedicated to addressing women's issues, has stirred controversy by requesting that party leaders resign from the group.
CAIRO — “The partisan experience has been denigrated.” With these words, the secretary of the Nasserist Party media committee, Mahmoud al-Asqalani, responded to the head of Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW), Maya Morsi, who has opposed female party leaders from maintaining membership in NCW branches.
The NCW was established following a decision by former President Hosni Mubarak in 2010. The council is charged with drafting policies to empower women in political, social and economic life, and to give opinions on draft laws according to the suggested policies. In addition, the NCW represents Egyptian women in international women's organizations and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
Asqalani said in a statement Aug. 15, “Morsi issued a statement asking women in leadership positions in parties to resign from the NCW branches.” Asqalani’s statement stirred a crisis that might reach the constitutional court soon.
The crisis prompted a variety of reactions. Morsi told Al-Watan on Aug. 17 that she did not issue any decision or send any notice asking female heads of NCW branches in the governorates who are affiliated with political parties to resign.
