Egypt women want to co-write constitution

A year later, Egypt has picked a new parliament and is to write a new         constitution ahead of presidential elections in May.
Women of all ages and background marched from the journalist’s syndicate to the cabinet headquarters, saying they do not want to be elbowed out of the process.

“Women’s rights are human rights!,” read some banners at the march.
Many wore stickers demanding 50% representation in the 100-member panel that will be picked on 24 March by both houses of parliament to write the constitution.
“Women are half of society. 50% of women in the constituent assembly,” read some banners.
“We don’t want to be marginalised,” said Shaimaa al-Kholy (28), a chemistry teacher.

Others addressed Mohammed Badie, the head of the powerful Muslim Brotherhood, which controls almost half of parliament through its Freedom and Justice Party and believes a woman cannot become president of the country.

“Badie, Badie, women’s rights will not be lost,” the women chanted.
Female representation in parliament fell from 12 percent to just 2 percent since Mubarak’s fall. — AFP.