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DemocracyWhen I hear the word democracy, I automatically think of a state or country with equal rights. Democracy by definition is a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives. For most people, a democracy is what we strive for. Unfortunately for some countries, democracy does not exist. In Egypt, the topic of a democracy is becoming quite the controversy. Egypt has faced many issues, but one main issue with democracy that Egypt has faced over the years, is that there isn't much of it being given. By taking matters into their own hands, the community of those in Egypt have banned together, and have protested against the government. In several articles, it gives us a closer look into how the protesters took actions into their own hands. In a article by Jenna Krajeski, she explains how the women in Egypt had their rights abused. Nawal El Saadawi, an author for over forty books, who has been called "the godmother of Egyptian feminism", disagreed with how the post-revolution committee to revise the constitution was all male. She stated that "the blood of the women killed in the revolution was still wet, and we were being betrayed". In her eyes, the women of Egypt are being mistreated and it's been an issue that has been taboo for quite sometime. Nawal began to speak about how the presidents of Egypt are to be blamed for the fracturing the Egyptian Women's Unions. She also speaks about how although women's rights are being abused, it's not all the president's fault, stating "women have no rights because we are not united". It seems that the women play a role in the reason why their rights are being abused. If they would stand up as a whole, and protest more often maybe they would have more free liberty with no question. Nawal decided to take action and gathered a large group of women, some of who she met in Tahrir Square. Hassan Wassef, a medical-school classmate of Nawal, asked some questions to Reem Shaheen, an attendee in Tahrir Sqaure. One main question that had been kept from the public's eye. Are women being molested or harassed? Shaheen simply answered "harassed? Very Badly". In a way, it was almost as if the women from Tahrir Sqaure were being treated as if they were nobody's. After being asked numerous questions, one main question stood out the most. Al Saadawi asked, "why are you so scared if the word 'women'?". Khalifa replied, "If we create an Egyptian Women's Union, they will create an Egyptian Men's Union". The sense of negativity in Khalifa's response leaves me wondering if although women want equal rights, and want their voices to be heard, then why are they doubting their ideas? In a way, it makes me think that even though the women in Egypt want to more of an input in how the men of Egypt, they're going to have to face the men sooner or later.
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