'New era' for Egyptian women

The government wants a better deal for women

By Caroline Hawley in Cairo

A ceremony has been held in Cairo to mark the official start of a new National Council for Women.

President Mubarak and Egypt's first lady, Susanne Mubarak, who will chair the new 30-member body, addressed those assembled for the ceremony.

Mrs Mubarak described it as a historic day for Egyptian women at a time of unprecedented global change.

The council has a powerful mandate that allows it to propose new legislation to help advance women.

Reclaim power

Mrs Mubarak said it was high time that Egyptian women shared in the country's decision making.

Critics say poor women will benefit less from the new law

At the moment, women make up less than 2.5% of MPs.

The new council secretary-general, Mervat Tellawi, has blamed what she called misinterpretation of Islam for a negativism among and about women.

She wants the new council to revive a history that dates back to Pharoanic times when women like Nefertiti and Hatshepsut were powerful.

President Mubarak was loudly applauded when he called on women to play a pivotal role in public life and said that religion stressed equality between the sexes.

Resistance to change

State-run television, which broadcast the ceremony live, gave out telephone numbers for the council inviting Egyptians to ring in with their suggestions.

Public opinion is split down gender lines

One prominent activist described it as the start of a new era in which women's concerns would at last be heard on a national level.

But it may not be easy.

Women activists were dismayed by strong resistance mounted against a new law passed in January that makes it easier for women to divorce.

Although the new council is allowed to propose laws, Mervat Tellawi acknowledged it would have to proceed cautiously if it wanted to carry public opinion with it.