Egypt’s potential presidential hopeful Farid Zahran discusses urgent issues with women researchers

CAIRO – 2 October 2023: Potential presidential candidate Farid Zahran, head of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party, met on Sunday with a group of women activists and those interested in women's issues.

During the meeting, Zahran and the activists held discussions on the reasons that prompted Zahran to announce his candidacy in the presidential elections.

Discussions also covered Zahran’s presidential program and vision regarding several urgent topics and issues that concern Egyptian women and impact families as a whole.

The conversation also addressed issues of violence and discrimination against women, and how they can be addressed by passing legislations and raising awareness in society.

The meeting also delved into the potential presidential candidate's stance on the new Personal Status Law, the Unified Violence Law, the protection of whistleblowers, and agreements protecting working women.

The participating activists affirmed the need to give the required attention to the issue of female prisoners detained in cases related to freedom of expression.

They emphasized the need to increase the pace of releasing women detainees in this regard and include a greater number of them in pardon lists.

Moreover, the women's secretariat of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party held a meeting with representatives from political parties and politicians to discuss the demands of women for the upcoming president.

Zahran, a prominent opposition politician, has obtained enough endorsement to run in the upcoming presidential elections as he secured last week 20 endorsements from House of Representatives’ members.

This is the minimum number required for a presidential hopeful in order for his candidacy to be accepted.

The opposition is pinning hopes on Zahran in the upcoming elections.

In September, the Egyptian Social Democratic Party said it looks forward to Zahran being the presidential candidate of the opposition Civil Democratic Movement, which the party is part of, and all democratic and civil forces aiming to make secure, peaceful and democratic change.

Egyptians will cast their votes in the 2024 Presidential Elections on 10-12 December 2023 locally, while eligible voters living abroad will vote on 1-3 December.

Today, incumbent President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi announced his plans to run in the upcoming elections.

Several leading figures from renowned political parties have alo announced plans to run for elections, including also opposition political activist and Head of Egypt’s liberal Constitution Party (Al-Dostour) Gameela Ismail.

Also, Ahmed El-Fadaly, chairman of the Democratic Peace Party; former MP Ahmed Tantawi, the former head of Al-Karama (Dignity) Party; and Fouad Badrawi, a former MP and member of the Wafd Party's Higher Council are also among the potential candidates.

Also, Head of Al-Wafd Party Abdel Sanad Yamama and Hazem Omar, head of the People’s Republican Party, have secured the required endorsements to run in the elections.

Check the full timetable of the 2024 Presidential Elections from here.