Sexual Harassment in Egypt: Class Struggle, State Oppression, and Women’s Empowerment

Author(s): Nadeen El-Ashmawy

In: Hawwa, Vol 15, No 3, 2017, pp. 225-256

Although sexual harassment is a worldwide phenomenon, it is noteworthy in Egypt, which recently occupied a top position on the map of sexual harassment on a world scale. In November 2013, Egypt was declared by the Thomson Reuters Foundation as the worst country for women to live in within the Arab World, when compared to twenty-two other Arab countries, largely because of its female sexual harassment rates. The United Nations Population Fund declared Egypt as ranking “second in the world after Afghanistan in terms of this issue.” In the years following the 2011 revolution, the nature of sexual harassment in Egyptian society was transformed from a hidden phenomenon to an overtly prevalent social epidemic. This study argues that the “weaponization” of sexual harassment is a common ground where class struggles, state policies, and women’s empowerment intertwine in post-revolutionary Egyptian society.

Euromaidan: Ukraine’s Self-Organizing Revolution

Author(s): Nadia Diuk

In: World Affairs, No March/April, 2014

Report by a Vice-President of Endowment for Democracy covering the developments of Ukraine's demonstrations until the end of December 2014. It stresses the creative and disciplined popular organisation; the unwillingness to rely on politicians; the breadth of support not only in Kiev but in other cities of eastern Ukraine; how provocateurs have been kept out of Maidan and how violence was avoided when responding to brutal attempts to clear the square. Available on line: http://www.worldaffairsjournal.org/article/euromaidan-ukraine%E2%80%99s-self-organizing-revolution

I Am Untouchable!” Egyptian Women’s War Against Sexual Harassment

Author(s): Nahed Eltantawy

In: Khamis, Sahar and Mili Amel (eds) Arab Women's Activism and Socio-Political Transformation, pp. 131-148

This chapter discusses women’s dual struggle in the context of the Arab Spring: the political struggle to secure civil rights and political rights, and the social struggle to secure gender equality. While the former can be enshrined in constitutions and enforced through the judicial branch, the latter is much harder to pin down, and even harder to enforce, because it deals with cultural mindsets and entrenched social norms. This chapter uses the example of Egypt to show how within the actual struggle for political rights, women experienced the worst forms of sexual violence, highlighting the long struggle ahead. It also stresses the efforts by Egyptian women to continue their parallel sociopolitical struggles, as evidenced in their tireless attempts to fight sexual harassment.

Modi's Repeal of Farm Laws Isn't Enough, Say Indian Farmers

Author(s): Naila Khan, and Uzair Usman

In: The Diplomat, 2021

The authors explain the significance for Sikhs of the date (19 November) of Modi's surprise announcement, summarize the laws to be repealed, and interview a number of protesters who express their distrust and require proof the laws will no longer apply. 

See also: BBC, 'Farm Laws: India's PM Narendra Modi Repeals Controversial Reforms', 19 November, 2021

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-59342627

Report on Modi's announcement and the laws to be repealed, and on farmers' reactions. Notes celebrations in Punjab and Haryana, but also the refusal to end protest camps until formal repeal by parliament. The report is followed by an analysis by the BBC's India Correspondent.

Available online at:

https://thediplomat.com/2021/11/modis-repeal-of-farm-laws-isnt-enough-say-indian-farmers/

No Logo

Author(s): Naomi Klein

Flamingo, London, 2000, pp. 512

Now a classic analysis of the role of brands and sources of leverage on corporations, including extensive information on a range of campaigns, many including direct action.

This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs the Climate

Author(s): Naomi Klein

Simon and Schuster / Allen Lane, New York and London, 2014, pp. 566

Well known critic of neoliberal globalization analyses its impact on climate change, argues against the adequacy of technical fixes and for fundamental social change. She also examines the developments in the environmental movement and suggests how campaigns against fracking and tar sands are front lines in the struggle against climate change.

On Fire: The Burning Case for a Green New Deal

Author(s): Naomi Klein

Penguin, London, 2020, pp. 310 (pb)

Klein enters the current debate about a Green New Deal in the context of the US Presidential and Congressional elections, and deploys her analytical and persuasive skills to argue for its necessity and to examine the policies and approaches required. 

Nigerian Women vs SARS: A Coalition against Police Brutality

Author(s): Naomi Ndifon

In: Black Women Radicals, 2020

This blog highlights the activism of the Feminist Coalition, a group of young feminists who were  at the forefront of the youth  movement against police brutality. They helped initiate the public protests and provided food, security, mobile toilets and ambulances, as well as hospital services and bail arrangements for protesters.

Available online at:

https://www.blackwomenradicals.com/blog-feed/nigerian-women-vs-sars-a-coalition-against-police-brutality

Foreigners groups invade Ireland’s online abortion debate’

Author(s): Naomi O'Leary

In: Politico, 2018

Reports on the ban that Facebook and Google put on foreign ads from activists in the US, UK and other countries’ and from vloggers, which were directed at influencing an-anti abortion result in the 2018 Irish referendum. 

See also https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/the-poisonous-online-campaign-to-defeat-the-abortion-referendum-1.3486236 and https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/overseas-influence-in-abortion-referendum-will-be-hard-to-stop-1.3406610

Available online at:

https://www.politico.eu/article/foreign-groups-invade-ireland-online-abortion-referendum-debate-facebook-social-media/

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