Egypt’s House of Representatives approved government-proposed penal code amendments, aimed at toughening penalties for sexual harassment and bullying, in its session on Sunday, 12 November. Changes are to be made to Article 306(A) of the penal code, introducing stricter measures against four types of harassment: physical, verbal, visual, and online. Offenders could face up to four years in prison and a fine of up to EGP 200,000 (USD 6,473). In cases where the harassment occurs in a workplace or on a means of transportation, and the offender is armed, the penalty will be heightened to five years in prison and a fine of up to EGP 300,000. Additionally, the draft suggests modifications to Article 309(B) of the penal code, aiming to punish those harassing victims who are relatives, under their care, or in their service, with a potential sentence of up to one year in prison and a fine of up to EGP 100,000 (USD 3,236). Prior to the amendments, the penalty for committing the crime of harassment ranged from 6 months to 5 years of imprisonment, in addition to a fine that may reach up to 50,000 (USD 1,618)…
Parliament Approves Tougher Penalties Against Sexual Harassment and Bullying
November 14, 2023
