In the context of the review of Egypt’s human rights record before member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council during the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism in January, a group of women’s rights organisations and initiatives submitted a joint submission on the status of women’s and girls’ rights in Egypt for the period 2019-2024.  

The submission presented to Council members examined the women’s and girls’ rights crisis in Egypt during that period, drawing upon evidence-based analysis. The report encompassed the realities of gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, women’s rights in the public sphere, including education and employment, the crisis in family laws, discrimination and violence against transgender women, the targeting of women human rights defenders, the criminalisation of women’s online expression, discrimination, and the efficacy of national strategies and mechanisms. 

Throughout the report’s concise pages, it draws upon legislative developments and challenges, practical public practices and policies, available statistics, and firsthand knowledge gained from the direct experience of the organizations and initiatives participating in the report. It presents a vivid portrayal of a full-blown crisis in the status of women’s and girls’ rights in Egypt, particularly affecting the poorest and most marginalized segments of society. 

Contributors to the submission:  The Center for Egyptian Women's Legal Assistance (Cewla) , Barah Amen, Edraak Foundation for Development, The Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR), New Woman Foundation, Superwomen, Tadwein for Gender Studies, Transat, The Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa (WHRDMENA), and other organizations and initiatives that chose to remain anonymous. 

The submission is available in English (the language of submission) and Arabic from here