BY IBRAHIM F. KHARBOUSH, FARZANEH ROUDI-FAHIMI, HANAA M. ISMAIL, HEBA M. MAMDOUH, YASMINE Y. MUHAMMAD, MAY M. TAWFIK, OMNIA G. EL SHARKAWY, AND HASSAN N. SALLAM SEPTEMBER 2010 One-third of Egyptian women have been physically abused by their husbands, according to the 2005 Egypt Demographic and Health Survey; and 7 percent said they are beaten “often.” These women mostly suffered silently and did not seek help (see Figure 1). 1 Violence against women is a costly and pervasive public health problem and a violation of human rights. It is often referred to as “gender-based vio- lence” because it stems from women’s subordinate status in the family and society. The abuse can take many forms (see Box 1, page 2). Violence against women, whether perpetrated by husbands or others, and whether it happens inside or outside the home, undermines women’s health and well-being. It can also have far-reaching and long-term consequences for the women’s children and for society. 2 Today, patriarchal norms continue to relegate many Egyptian women to a subordinate position relative to men, providing fertile ground for men’s abusive and damaging behaviors at home and in public. Harass- ment of women in public has escalated to the point where Egypt’s national economy may be affected: A recent World Bank study showed that 15 percent of men and 12 percent of women in Cairo who oppose the idea of women working outside the home cite potential sexual harassment as the reason. 3 This policy brief presents an analysis of the 2005 and 2008 Egypt Demographic and Health Sur- veys and the latest research on spousal violence conducted in the Alexandria Governorate by the Suzanne Mubarak Regional Centre for Women’s Health and Development. These studies reveal that violence against women is widespread and alarming, and highlight the urgent need for govern- ment and civil society to address the issue and end this scourge that hinders progress toward Egypt’s development goals. A Global Concern In 1996, the World Health Assembly declared vio- lence against women a major public health problem requiring urgent attention by governments and health organizations. Gender-based violence causes a host of health problems that drain health systems’ resources, limit women’s growth and productivity, and hinder governments from achieving their national health goals. The impact on women’s health from gender-based violence is well documented: a major cause of injuries and death among women world- wide; a higher risk for unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV; and an increased risk of gynecological disorders and pregnancy complications, including serious harm to the mother and fetus. 4 Policies and programs aimed at addressing gender-based violence must correct the imbal- ances in rights and power- sharing between males and females in Egyptian families and society. Policy Brief SPOUSAL VIOLENCE IN EGYPT 50% of women surveyed in Alexandria Governorate said they experienced physical violence by their husbands. Women who marry at a younger age are generally more vulnerable to spousal violence. FIGURE 1 Percent of Ever-Married Women Ages 15-49 Who Have Experienced Spousal Violence, by Type of Violence, Egypt 2005 Source: Egypt Demographic and Health Survey 2005: table 17.6. Ever Experienced Experienced During the Previous Year Physical Emotional Sexual Any Type 33 18 18 10 7 4 36 21