UN officials urge protection of women in Egypt

Michelle Bachelet, the head of UN Women, has expressed great concern about reports of direct attacks on women for exercising their political and civil rights to public assembly and expression in Egypt. She called on the Egyptian authorities to guarantee women's political and civil rights and to protect them from violence from any side. She also urged authorities in a statement to ensure women's full freedom to play their essential role in building the new political institutions of Egypt. Her remarks came after photos of soldiers beating women on the streets in Egypt were circulated around the world. One soldier had torn the clothes of one woman wrestling her to the floor, almost naked. The representative of the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Egypt also appealed to the Egyptian authorities to protect children involved in demonstrations. (end) sj.rk KUNA 230928 Dec 11NNNN