Was has the constitution really achieved?

Female members of the Constituent Assembly


Early this year a new constitution was passed in a referendum which contain many fundamental women's rights. However this article reminds us that the Millennium Development Goals are fast approaching and Egypt remains one of the worst nations regarding women's rights in the Middle East. Since the constitution was adopted women's representation in the Assembly has remained at 2%. Below is Article 11 of the constitution on women's representation:

Article 11 of the constitution obliges the state to achieve gender equality regarding civilian, political, economic, social and cultural rights. It also urges the state to take the necessary measures to ensure women’s fair representation in parliament and calls for an end to discriminating against women. The article obliges the state to protect women against all forms of violence and to provide mothers and children with adequate care.

 As you can see the terminology is passive, the constition "obliges "and "urges" the state rather than codifies. Women's participation in parliament still relies on the state to enforce it. Only time will tell if the constitution will be implemented to a extent in which it will change the lives of women in Egypt.