“Bahiya ya Masr,” or “Beautiful Egypt,” a group advocating women’s rights, is planning a sit-in on Sunday to protest the Egyptian Information Minister’s “sexist” comments towards two female journalists.
Salah Abdul Maksoud, angered many Egyptians after he told a female reporter to “come to my office and I will show you how,” as she mentioned the lack of freedom for expression.
Last Wednesday, during a press conference at the Information Ministry, the official repeated his infamous remark, when he told yet another female journalist from the private Al-Nahar TV station: “come to my office and I will tell you,” after she enquired about Egyptian TV content.
“Bahiya ya Masr” has planned a sit-in in front of Egypt’s Radio and TV Union (ERTU) Maspero at 4pm Cairo time, according to the groups Facebook page.
Riham Salim, one of the coordinators, said the campaign was a reaction to the minister’s derogatory comments.
“He knows very well that he angered many with his first statement, so why is he doing it again?” Salim asked, as she described his “narrow-mindedness” and “determination” to repeat the same mistake.
On the group’s Facebook page, people expressed their disappointment.
“It’s a shame that minister disrespects women and journalists this way,” a lady who goes by the name Sue Lola Pasha said.
While another women called Lydia Elewa posted a picture of a plastic slipper which she claims will be used on the minister.
However, these occurrences are not the first of their kind by the minister. In September last year, the minister said in an interview with Dubai television anchor Zina Yazji “I hope your questions aren’t as hot as you are.”
A remark to which both the presenter and Information Minister laughed nervously.