Summary: An Egyptian lawyer advocating raping women who wore revealing clothing.
Rape culture is something often discussed in the media, with some stating it exists while others deny it. However, one Egyptian lawyer proved that rape culture not only exists but that he believes that men have a duty to harass and rape.
Attorney Nabih al-Wahsh is a prominent conservative in Egypt, and he appeared on television stating that men have a “national duty” to rape women who wear ripped jeans. The shocking claim came after he said that the clothes women wear invite men to harass them.
al-Wahsh appeared on the talk show “Infrad” that was aired on satellite channel Al-Assema when he made his disgusting comments. According to The New York Daily News, the panel was debating a law on prostitution when the attorney went off the rails.
“Are you happy when you see a girl walking down the street with half of her behind showing?” al-Wahsh said. “I say that when a girl walks about like that, it is a patriotic duty to sexually harass her and a national duty to rape her.”
The lawyer’s remarks were thankfully met with fury across Egypt, and Egypt’s National Council for Women said that it would file a complaint with the attorney general against al-Wahsh and the TV station. They also filed a complaint with the Supreme Council for Media Regulation, urging media companies to not invite controversial speakers who advocate violence onto shows.
Maya Mursi, head of the National Council for Women Doctors, said al-Wahsh’s comments were a ‘flagrant call’ for rape, according to Metro. Mursi said that it was also disappointing that someone whose job is to defend human rights would think like that.
al-Wahsh later tried to defend his shocking statements.
“Girls must respect themselves so others respect them,” al-Wahsh said. “Protecting morals is more important than protecting borders.”
Last year, al-Wahsh was involved with another crazy TV moment. After a guest said that the hijab was a choice and not a religious requirement for Muslim women, the lawyer grabbed his own shoe and beat the man over the head with it.
In 2013, the United Nations published a report that found 99% of women in Egypt have experienced some form of sexual assault. Additionally, the crime of sexual assault was only criminalized by the Egyptian government since 2014, according to RT.