Sexual Harassment Case

When I first heard that Noha Roushy had filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against the man who harassed her, I thought to myself "this is good news." Regardless of how I feel that sexual harassment as a topic has turned into a national debate with its own scary obsession, sexual harassment as a phenemenon does need to be addressed and finally someone has managed to have the patience and perserverence to withstand the trials and tribuliations of a lawsuit.

Just the action itself it a good roadmap for future girls and women who wish to take the same road. Noha created the in-road.

And I don't think it's just Noha. I'm thinking this is a product of much support from others around her--I don't know who because I don't know her personally--but what she did seems to reflect a group effort. Hence, the in-road to the elimination of sexual harassment that the ECWR (Egyptian Center for Women's Rights) has been publicizing through their press release (look at my previous post---its the press release) reflects the focus of someone who's motivated to start decreasing the rate of sexual harassment and the insecurity it causes many of our friends.

Now it distrubs me when I hear from my boss one morning that the "lawyer who defended Noha has now turned against her because she is an Israeli citizen." From an article published in the Daily News (Friday, October 31st, 2008) on the front page, it starts by saying "in a bizarre twist to the verdict on the first sexual harassment case in Egypt, a lawyer claiming to have represented Noha Roushy in the case has stated that she will now switch sides and take up the appeal of defendant Sherif Gomaa Gibrial."

This was done, according to the lawyer (Naglaa el Imam) because 1. Noha is exaggerating the sexual harassment claim 2. she said Israel is a respectable country on a television appearnace where "this kind of sexual harassment never happens" and 3. Noha is suspected to be an Israeli citizen of Arab origin.

Now not only was this lawyer not her lawyer, nevertheless the claims that this lawyer made where gratuitiously published in Al Masry al Youm and instanteously sensationalized. So 1. She wasn't her lawyer 2. destroyed the momentum and unity that was producing certain entitlements (or rights) for women like Noha who were finally making the in-roads on responding to sexual harassment and 3. used the "Israel" bomb in an immature and irresponsible manner, and reflected how that immaturity and irresponsibility can make strides with even the more respectable newspapers like Masry el Youm.

It's an instance like this where the "Israel" bomb becomes very counter-productive. I'm tempted to say the Israel bomb is always counter-productive but I'm not sure if I have enough knowledge to make that claim.

So: part of this has to do with the weakness (or penchant) of certain media personnel to capitalize on a story because they know it would attract public readership--even if this comes at the expense of the in-roads made about sexual harassment. Another part is lawyers voices their grievances (yes, I do think this lawyer was genuinely miffed about the way sexual harassment was being handled in this court case) in the easiest way rather than revert to a mature and deliberated writings or talk in a way that explains, unravels, and presents her grievance or concern about sexual harassment.

I mean, in some sense, and this is only in my mind, I feel this lawyer (from what I've heard her speak) is quite pissed as well because 1. she feels there an ambiguity about punishing sexual harassment through a three year sentence and 2. that she feels that Noha is exaggerating her claim (she said that Noha also raised and won a civil harassment case against a police officer in France a year and a half ago, thinking that maybe Noha was on a rampage) and 3. she's quite distressed by the celebration of this case because the other side of this celebration was the punishment of an individual who's probably downtrodden. And to be fair to her, these, to me, are legitimate concerns. The way she expressed them, though, suck ass.

Media personnel need to understand the importance of language in channeling articles and writing them in ways that encourage peopel to voice their concerns but not in totalitarian manners. Not by reveting to the Israel time bomb every time something is changing and they don't like it. Say you don't like it. But put the effort in doing that in a way the opens up debate rather than engage in confrontational banter. And media personnel: PLEASE, don't facilitate the confrontational banter just for the sake of a story. It makes you equally as culpable. If you need tips, you don't have to go very far, just check out some of the writings in Al Ahram Weekly.

Over dinner, I had this conversation with my mother, a little upset that unnecessary obstacles like this might discourage women and she was quick to point out than obstacle might serve to encourage people to continue what Noha and her support has started. Just know the Egyptian Center for Women's Rights announced that they're having a 16 day campaign to combat violence against women in different governorates (there's a press release about it that was just circulated).

Just putting this out there.