By Katherine Hauser

The dust has settled on the Arab Spring uprisings, and it is important to now reflect on the diversity among participants, the demands put forward and the opportunities and risks of democratic transition. This article will explore achievements and the challenges faced by Egyptian women during the Arab Spring and the transitional period.

In Egypt women stood on the frontlines of the revolution, in equal numbers to their male counterparts. These women were calling for dignity and role in the construction of a new democratic state. After a rocky transition period, Egypt's parliamentary elections are drawing closer. The first round is scheduled for 28 November.

Pre-existing civil society networks were an asset to women in the post-revolutionary period. On 4th June 2011 the Alliance for Arab Women, Association for International Civil Servants and a coalition of Egyptian NGOs launched the Egyptian Women's Charter. The Charter outlines six key focus areas for the advancement of women:

• Political representation
• Commitment to international rights covenants
• Advancement of economic and social rights
• Redress of discriminatory legislation
• The establishment of a national women's machinery
• The creation of positive media imagery

Gaining 500,000 signatures prior to its launch, many saw the Charter as the symbol for the coming change in Egypt .

Since spring drew to a close Egyptian women have faced challenges on two fronts; ensuring equal participation and safeguarding existing rights legislation. The legitimacy of laws on child marriage, divorce and female genital mutilation are now being criticised due to the involvement of Suzanne Mubarak. In order to sever ties with the old regime, the transitional authority has also closed the Ministry of Women's Affairs and abolished the 64 seat parliamentary quota set aside for women. Although the intention of these actions may have been to establish a clean slate, the disruption of positive legislation has taken a toll on the status and mobility of Egyptian women .

Exclusion of women from the early stages of the democratic process is seen in a range of forms. Following the resignation of Hosni Mubarak, Egypt's constitution was suspended and a committee was established to draft 10 transitional amendments. Despite the wealth of female legal and constitutional experts in Egypt, no women were selected for this drafting committee . Women have also been excluded from provincial governor posts on the grounds that they would be unable to work effectively in the current security environment.

The setbacks faced by Egyptian women in the transitional period follow a familiar trend. When faced with complex political, economic and sectarian issues leaders will often sideline the importance of women's rights and equal participation or frame them as issues to be dealt with once a stable state is established.

In recent years the role of women in peace building and democratic transition has gained greater legitimacy. UN Security Council Resolution 1325 recognises the need to view women as partners in transition and peace building, rather than victims of conflict. According to Valerie Hudson, "the situation and status of women is a marker of the stability, peacefulness, prosperity and health of the nation in which they live" . The role of women in the elections next week will be an important test for the resilience of peace and democracy in Egypt. Over the coming months academics will remain pinned to their screens, watching the latest chapter in the Arab Spring.

 

Katherine Hauser is a member of the Young UN Women Issues and Policy sub-comittee, and is currently studying Political Science and Asian Studies at the University of Melbourne.