Egyptian Women Open Up About Their Sexual Harassment Experiences As #MeToo Trends Worldwide

In the wake of shocking allegations of sexual assault committed by one of the most powerful men in Hollywood – Harvey Weinstein, American actress Alyssa Milano launched a hashtag campaign on Twitter to bring peoples’ attention to the magnitude of the issue.

The #MeToo hashtag, which encourages women who have fallen victim to harassment or assault to come forward, is already one of the highest trending on social media and thousands of women, including dozens of high-profile celebrities have shared their painful memories of abuse.

Several Egyptian women have bravely stepped into the conversation with their own experiences, despite the particularly restrictive environment they live in which often blames victims for horrific incidents.

3 years ago, I was sexually harassed on an @AUC bus. The student got in trouble, but I was blamed. #Egypt #MeToo https://t.co/3w52ZmwZu0

— Holly Dagres (@hdagres) October 16, 2017

Girls and women of Egypt face sexual harassment everyday ... They are forced to keep silent .... No we won't .. #MeToo

— Jermeen Nasr (@JermeenNasr) October 16, 2017

#metoo just like every woman in this country #Egypt

— Gigi Ibrahim (@Gsquare86) October 16, 2017

By living in Egypt, I have sexual harassment stories since I was 7 till today. Almost every day in my 25 years old life has one. #MeToo

— Vivian Hermina (@VivianHermina) October 16, 2017

Some of the opening up was particularly moving.

#MeToo #Egypt pic.twitter.com/Pby9YVGVuK

— Mona Seif (@Monasosh) October 16, 2017

One day I got into an argument on an AUC group;some of Egypt's educated elite were making rape jokes and thought that they were funny #MeToo

— Shaima (@ShaimaStreet) October 16, 2017

Photo Credit: HuffPost Arabia.