Attack on Egyptian women protesters spark uproar

Attack on Egyptian women protesters spark uproar

Egyptian activist Ghada Kamal was grabbed, slapped and beaten by an army officer this week during five days of violent demonstrations demanding an end to military rule.

CAIRO (Reuters) -Dina Zayed

Reuters

Reuters

2011

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Arabic/English

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Images of women often in a lead role during the uprising that ousted President Hosni Mubarak in February resonated across the Arab world. Now women say they are being targeted; pictures of them being molested have fuelled anger at home and abroad.

In one video that has in the days since it was shot come to symbolize the abuse, army officers were shown dragging a woman by her black robe, worn by conservative Muslims, as she lay on the ground, revealing her blue bra. Then she was repeatedly kicked and clubbed. The image has gone viral on the Internet.

In response, thousands of women surrounded by men pledging to protect them demonstrated in Tahrir.