Harassmap: The Silent Revolution for Women's Rights in Egypt

Citation

Bernardi C (2017) Harassmap: The Silent Revolution for Women's Rights in Egypt. In: Maestri E & Profanter A (eds.) Arab Women and Media in Changing Landscapes. Cham, Switzerland: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 215-227. http://www.palgrave.com/gb/book/9783319627939; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-62794-6_12

Abstract
Bernardi analyzes the role played by independent organization HarassMap, run by Egyptian men and women, with the aim to “put an end to social acceptance of sexual harassment” in the country. HarassMap situates itself at the intersection of activism, digital media and semiotics. It is an interactive map that exemplifies the best uses of the Digital technologies. HarassMap is considered as a map where sexual harassment becomes a visible issue and is “exposed” in a country where bystanders turn a blind eye to instances of harassment and even violence. The chapter concludes that the instances of sexual harassment in Egypt acquires a new visibility that emerges on the digital layer through the combination of activism, digital technologies and women’s consistent fight for their rights.

Keywords
Egyptian women; Harassment; Women’s rights