NOTE TO TEACHERS: (This video contains some graphic images.)
An estimated 10,000 women marched in Tahrir Square in one of the largest women-only protests in Egyptian history. The women shouted and waved signs, and many demanded that the general step down.
The march occurred after graphic video surfaced of women protestors being brutally attacked. In one video, a female protester is stripped half-naked by Egyptian soldiers beaten, kicked and stomped on.
This outraged many people across Egypt and around the world, including Secretary of State Hillary Clinton who called it shocking.
"This systematic degradation of Egyptian women dishonors the revolution, disgraces the state and its uniform, and is not worthy of a great people," she said.
But not everyone shared Clinton's point of view.
Major General Adel Emara, insisted the incident had been blown out of proportion. And he defended the use of force by troops. The Egyptian foreign minister also rejected Clinton's criticism as unwarranted foreign interference.
Many of Egyptian women believe the incident was not blown of out proportion.
"Women were beaten. Women were stripped in the street. This is the army who were supposed to protect us. I am here to say, down, down with the military council," said an Egyptian woman via a translator.
Quotes
"This systematic degradation of Egyptian women dishonors the revolution, disgraces the state and its uniform, and is not worthy of a great people." - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
"Women were beaten. Women were stripped in the street. This is the army who were supposed to protect us. I am here to say, down, down with the military council." -Interviewee via an interpreter.
Warm Up Questions
1. Where is Egypt?
2. Which other countries comprise the Middle East?
3. What is the definition of a revolution?
Discussion Questions
1. What is a protest?
2. Why did 10,000 women march in Tahrir square? What were they protesting?
3. Do you think the soldiers who committed these acts should stand trial for their actions? Why or why not? Discuss.
Additional Resources
In Tahrir Square, 10,000 Women March After Reported Attacks on Female Protesters
Revolution Isn’t Easy: Egypt Struggles For Democracy
Egyptian Teen Reports on Political Protests in Alexandria
