Don’t be Afraid.. Speak up: Egypt launches campaign to combat electronic harassment

CAIRO – 27 June 2022: The Ministry of Social Solidarity launched a dialogue conference "Combating Electronic Harassment and Extortion", under the title "Don't be afraid... Speak up", to raise awareness of issues of electronic harassment and blackmail practiced against women.

The conference aims to educate girls about forms of electronic extortion, methods of prevention and how to confront it, as well as ways to obtain information, and legal mechanisms to report violations, stages of litigation and its confidentiality, and how to protect personal information on mobile and other means.

It further discussed the role of the media in raising awareness of protection mechanisms during and after harassment or extortion.

The Ministry of Social Solidarity said that this meeting aims to enhance public awareness of societal issues that contribute to establishing personal security, improving the citizen’s life environment, spreading societal peace, and contributing to the access of the most vulnerable citizens to their rights and the preservation of their dignity.

Topics discussed at the conference are among the most important pillars of the national strategy for human rights launched by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Bullying and blackmailing women are not only a humanitarian issue, but rather a cultural, political, social and economic issue, which is the right to a decent life for every Egyptian woman.

The issue of electronic harassment and extortion has imposed itself recently, with painful incidents and crimes that occurred repeatedly.

Some rely on blaming the girl’s attire, to justify the crime occurred against her, leaving the female behind as the culprit or the perpetrator.

The Ministry of Social Solidarity launched a call to break the barriers of silence, and called on women to conquer their fear and silence, and reject all forms of extortion.

According to conference discussions, the Internet has affected girls at the age of 8 years on average, and that 18 percent of those who have been subjected to electronic harassment have problems at school, and 24 percent of the girls who have been subjected to electronic harassment have a feeling of insecurity and tension.

The Ministry of Social Solidarity stressed that there is an urgent need for digital literacy in promoting the safe use of digital platforms and combating misinformation, and speech that stimulates hatred and enmity. It encourages creating a supportive environment combating violence against girls and women, interacting with hashtag “Speak up, Don’t fear.”

The Ministry of Social Solidarity expressed its thanks and appreciation to the President of the Republic and the legislative authority for approving Law No. 141 of 2021 amending some provisions of the Penal Code promulgated by Law No. 58 of 1937.

The legal amendments toughened penalties for sexual harassment, with imprisonment of up to 5 years and a fine of up to 300,000 pounds or more.