The Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights on Wednesday rejected a project approved by Local Development Minister Mohamed Attiya to designate taxis exclusively for women in an attempt to counter sexual harassment.
The project would be implemented over three stages, starting with 15 taxis in each coastal city at a cost of LE15 million.
In a statement, the center said the project pulls Egypt 100 years backwards, isolates women within society and hinders their freedom of movement. It warned that the concept could be extended to include universities, workplaces and public places.
Sexual harassment is prevalent in Egypt, as reports estimate that 95 percent of Egyptian women above the age of 15 have been subjected to harassment at least once in their lives.
