Egypt celebrates Egyptian Women’s Day annually on March 16, a date of historical significance that honors the profound contributions and sacrifices of Egyptian women in their ongoing struggle for rights, equality, and social advancement. This day marks the pivotal moment in 1919 when Egyptian women played an instrumental role in the national and revolutionary movements against British colonial rule. Their active participation in the 1919 Revolution, alongside men, in large-scale protests, logistical support, and public demonstrations, proved their indelible impact on shaping Egypt’s modern history. Women’s involvement was not merely symbolic, but a critical force in the resistance against colonial domination.
Since then, March 16 has evolved into a day of national celebration, acknowledging the resilience, determination, and significant societal role of Egyptian women in the pursuit of gender equality.
This year’s observance of Egyptian Women’s Day coincides with the 30th anniversary of the landmark 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference. A transformative event in the global women’s rights movement, the Beijing Conference placed gender equality at the forefront of international discourse. Egypt, along with other nations, made a commitment to prioritize women’s rights in areas such as education, employment, political participation, and social well-being. Over the past three decades, Egypt has witnessed significant progress, including a substantial increase in female enrollment in higher education, which grew from 30% in the 1990s to over 45% in 2023. Furthermore, women now occupy 27% of the seats in Egypt’s Parliament.
Despite these achievements, the path toward full gender equality remains fraught with challenges. Egyptian women continue to face substantial obstacles across economic, social, and political spheres, including issues related to the gender pay gap, gender-based violence, and systemic discrimination in the labor market.
Besides, Beijing Conference had two key outcomes: its global scope and the opening of discussions regarding the comprehensive inclusion of women’s economic, social, and political rights. While significant progress has been made in increasing women’s participation in the workforce, Ezzat argues that systemic barriers remain, particularly the lack of comprehensive legislation and policies that create a safe and equitable working environment. She also highlights that many women’s increased workforce participation is primarily driven by economic necessity, rather than a full recognition of their right to work under international labor standards.
Despite these advancements, women continue to be excluded from labor laws designed to ensure safe and equitable working conditions. Law No. 12 of 2003, governing labor relations, remains deficient in explicitly criminalizing workplace violence. Moreover, laws relating to maternity leave and child-rearing responsibilities continue to place these burdens primarily on women, without adequate provisions for shared parental responsibilities.
Furthermore, while laws prohibiting wage discrimination exist, enforcement remains inconsistent. In the private sector, men continue to earn, on average, 17.7% more than their female counterparts, and women are underrepresented in leadership and decision-making positions, despite constitutional guarantees of equality.
In terms of international obligations, Egypt ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) in 1981, which under Article 93 of the Egyptian Constitution holds the force of law. Yet, the full implementation of CEDAW remains an ongoing challenge, as entrenched cultural norms continue to perpetuate gender-based discrimination. The prevailing societal perception of women as primary caregivers within the family remains a significant barrier to their broader participation in public life.
According to the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS), women in Egypt are estimated to work an average of 16 to 20 hours per day, balancing domestic and professional responsibilities. This disparity underscores the continued gender-based discrimination and societal expectations that limit women’s opportunities and freedom.
Socially, women continue to face pressing health and reproductive rights challenges. Many women bear the financial burden of healthcare costs associated with pregnancy and childbirth, with insufficient coverage from workplace health insurance programs. In addition, reproductive and sexual health education remains underdeveloped, as public awareness campaigns and educational curricula fail to adequately address these critical issues.
Despite a 2014 directive from the Ministry of Justice to increase the representation of women in the judiciary, progress has been slow. Although women occupy certain positions within the judicial system, their representation remains limited, particularly in lower ranks and high-ranking decision-making roles.
The National Strategy for Women’s Empowerment, launched by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in 2017, aimed to increase female representation in the judiciary to 25% by 2023. However, despite the passage of eight years, women’s representation remains under 1%, indicating significant barriers to achieving this goal. This raises critical questions regarding institutional, societal, and educational barriers that impede progress in achieving gender equality.
While strides have been made in certain areas, substantial challenges remain in achieving full gender equality for Egyptian women. While progress is evident, the road ahead requires sustained political will, robust legal reforms, and cultural shifts to challenge traditional gender roles and ensure that women are able to fully realize their rights and potential.
