Hundreds of Egyptian women and girls have come out to denounce sexual harassment and share personal stories about it on social media, breaking a taboo and raising the ire of some in the country's conservative majority. One woman recounted being assaulted by her own grandfather, and another by an emergency doctor who was treating her while she was in critical condition. Those denouncing the campaign repeated common justifications for sexual harassment overheard in Egypt: that women are responsible for inviting it through provocative clothing or actions. The magnitude of Egypt's sexual violence problem came to light in the years following the 2011 popular uprising that overthrew long-time autocrat Hosni Mubarak, when mass rape and sexual assault occurred during several protests. In a rare acknowledgement of sexual violence by an official, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi visited one of his female supporters in the hospital the day after she was severely assaulted during celebrations of his election in June 2014.

Source: ABC News April 07, 2017 06:22 UTC