The Karama(Honour)project addresses some of the key issues related to violence against women in Upper Egypt, which is an area in Egypt that is considered of particular concern due to attitudinal, social, and economic conditions. With high rates of violence against women documented, and a trend towards greater conservatism in relation to the rights of women, civil society organisations are playing a key role in promoting and fostering a culture of human rights. Karama will support current efforts in Egypt to strengthen the legislative frameworks and their application related to violence against women, in particular domestic violence and marital rape, whilst promoting social change in attitudes towards violence against women amongst communities and community leaders, local organisations, and local gatekeepers such as the police. The action will also empower women to voice their complaints with respect to violence against them and assist them to seek legal support
The primary focus of the action will be at the local level in two to three governorates (Minia, Sohag, Assuit) in terms of awareness raising and attitudinal change, as well as building the capacity of local Community Development Associations (CDAs), intermediate organisations such as Networks, and local stakeholders such as the police, religious leaders, and local government units to address violence against women in an appropriate manner. At the local level CDAs will be lead actors, however other formal and informal institutions will be fully involved to promote buy-in and trust.
Activities at this local level will then be used to inform advocacy actions and the wider collaborative advocacy agenda targeting reform at the governorate and national level, both in terms of legislation as well as the practical application of the law within communities, the judiciary and amongst the police.
Karama supports existing efforts on the part of local NGOs, NGO Networks, and activists to improve laws to criminalise violence against women, and to raise awareness of the laws at the more local level.
