Violence Against Women In Tahrir Square Will No Longer Go Unpunished!

Image From: Wikipedia

Tahrir Squire has been becoming a notorious place for women. Women are attacked, assaulted and sexually abused there with a disturbing frequency. It started with CBS’s Lara Logan’s attack in Feb 2011 and it hasn’t stopped since.

Many suspect that the mob assaults are carried out by men hired by the Muslim Brotherhood. A documentary by UK Channel 4, Unreported World is scheduled for airing on December 7^th and is said to contain interviews with men who claim to have been paid to attack female protesters.

Whatever the reasons and elements be behind the attacks, it’s about to change now. People have decided enough is enough and taken things in their own hands! Civilian groups have emerged to protect female protesters.

They are at the moment too few to be largely effective but they are there and they are functioning and they may just grow in to a force to be reckoned with!

Follow @tahrirbodyguard and be a part of a social revolution. Protect each other. It's time for real change in #Egypt. #Cairo #Tahrir

— Um Farouk (@NaziqAlAbed) December 3, 2012

If you are around the square support anti-harassment volunteers. Look for pink armbands. Offer them water/juice & a word of support #EndSH

— Leil-Zahra (@LeilZahra) November 27, 2012

Image From: Twitter

The biggest factor behind the watch and the initiative has been by a group called Tahrir Body Guard, (@TahrirBodyguard) very actively spreading awareness and dispensing help via Twitter as well as on the ground.  They dispatch several uniformed volunteers to respond to distress calls and alerts women to stay away from the area when needed.

@nameesarnous @sorayabahgat we need volunteers to help recruit, organize, & raise awareness

— Tahrir Bodyguard (@TahrirBodyguard) December 7, 2012

URGENT! Volunteers who can help us today!!Please e mail us at tahrir.bodyguard@gmail.com ...yalla guys!

— Tahrir Bodyguard (@TahrirBodyguard) December 7, 2012

Now, that’s a way to do things and a commendable way at that! As Lobna Darwish, said on Twitter:

follow the "good mob" against sexual harassment in #Tahrir @opantish #EndSH #????

— Lobna Darwish (@lobna) November 30, 2012