Egypt’s House of Representatives gave final approval to new amendments to the penal code, drafted by the government that will increase the penalties for sexual harassment and bullying crimes.
An explanatory note that accompanied the draft law highlighted the prevalence of these two criminal offenses in Egypt, which violate human rights and represent a form of violence against women and children in society.
The note pointed out the increase in sexual harassment crimes against women at workplaces and on public transportation in recent years, which necessitates the need for a legislative amendment to toughen penalties for these crimes.
The draft law proposes the amendment of Article 306(A) of the penal code to punish four different forms of harassment (physical, verbal, visual, and online) with up to four years in prison and a fine of up to EGP 200,000. The penalty will be increased to five years in prison and a fine of up to EGP 300,000 if the crime is committed at a workplace or on transportation and if the offender is holding a weapon.
Moreover, the draft suggests amendments to Article 309(B) of the penal code to penalize those harassing victims who are relatives, under their custody, or serving them, with up to one year in prison and a fine of up to EGP 100,000.
Speaker of the Parliament Hanafy El-Gebaly emphasized the importance of the media playing an active role in raising public awareness regarding the detrimental physical and psychological impact of these crimes, stating that it is not enough to increase penalties for harassment and bullying.
Ali Gomaa, chairman of parliament’s religious affairs committee, stated that the amendments go hand in hand with Islam, which gives protection to women against all forms of violence and aggression. In this respect, he stressed the importance of clerics preaching that harassment is a crime against all religions and that those who commit it should be punished.
MP Hala Abul-Saad stated that the amendments, which were drafted by the National Council for Women, show that harassment has become increasingly dangerous in the last couple of years, and the risk of harassment increases in transportation, at home, on the street, and in the workplace.
