By Randa Darwish
In the latest from a series of sexual harassment stories going viral in Egypt, a female journalist went out to reveal that she was sexually harassed by her supervisor in one of the biggest newspapers in Egypt, Youm7.
May El Shamy wrote on her Facebook account on Friday revealing details of the story. According to May, she did not speak out about the incident before as she respects the institution she works in, however, the harassment was repeated several times in the last few weeks, forcing her to take legal action.
On Friday, May said she officially filed a lawsuit against her supervisor in the private-owned newspaper, Youm7 saying she was exposed to verbal sexual harassment in addition to being “touched within the newsroom.”
May’s announcement shocked Egyptian society in which girls do not usually speak out in public about sexual harassment incidents, for fear of being attacked or even killed by their families or the harassers.
Several hashtags including #SupportMay, #SupportMayElshamy in Arabic and English went out in support of May by her colleagues.
Translation: “You are a strong brave journalist, I wish you safety, personal and professional progress May.”
However, May was faced down fierce attacks since she made her statement. Some accused her of communicating with foreign entities or working for their sake.
Translation: "My friend and colleague May ElShamy is being dragged into a war of defamation to cause her professional, psychological and moral damage by spreading inaccurate information about the incident. She expressed her good intentions to comply to investigations. She needs our support.”
Others also accused her of being anti-government which led her to release another statement to clarify all rumors.
Meanwhile, social media users went to circulate the name of the newspaper’s editor-in-chief, Dandarawi Al Hawwari, raising suspension that he is the harasser. Some people also claimed May’s lawsuit was filed against him which was not dismissed or denied by her.
It is worth pointing that Hawwari is known for his pro-Sisi positions and his opposition to the Egyptian Revolution and anyone who shows anti-government sentiment, which may provide some immunity from being jailed.
Translation: “Dandarawi Al Hawwari is accused of sexual harassment. We will take a break from his sucking-up [to the government] for few days.”
All of this comes at a time when Egypt is being listed as one of the most dangerous countries for women in the world, due to high rates of sexual harassment and rape. Many people do still feel ashamed when talking about it or if their daughters talked about it.
In addition to the corruption found in the Egyptian institutions, especially those affiliated to the government (like Youm7 newspaper), the episode has placed May El Shami in danger of being falsely accused of all sorts of things.
Amira Taher, an Egyptian social media user shared a thread about her expectations for May’s case and how it will evolve to eventually turn against May herself.
Translation: “I can predict how May El Shami’s case will evolve in few tweets. First of all, there will be turmoil over her case with many people supporting her bravery in the media sector. Then, two investigations will be launched at the same time: Administrative investigation by the newspaper and another one by the prosecution. The newspaper’s one will end by a silly apology and a promotion for her while Dandarawi [the suspect] will take two months leave and then come back.”
Amira explains how the prosecution investigation will take long time to prove how May was wrong and she has previous records in lying and deviation in her behaviours, which will make her lose her job in addition to losing her reputation in the media sector.
