Box 2. Women in Parliament in Egypt: An Evaluation

Women's Performance

Analysis of the activities of women MPs during these terms reveals the following:

1. There is no correlation between the number of women MPs and the number of issues they raise.

   • During the second PA, women MPs (who numbered six) raised eight issues, whereas during the fourth PA (when there were 36 women), they raised only five issues.

   • During the second PA, the number of economic issues raised was 20; this only increased to 58 in the fourth PA, despite the fact that women's membership increased sixfold.

   • Similarly, women raised 22 issues relating to
     social services in the second PA, which increased to only 46 in the fourth PA, despite the increase in membership from six to 36.

   • The number of social issues raised decreased from 32 in the second PA to 18 in the fourth PA.

2. The issue of women's representation is not a quantitative one. It depends on whether the women selected are capable of presenting the issues and problems of society and acting as representatives in an informed and efficient way.^*

3. Women's participation covers various issues, including political, economic and social services. The study also indicated that the main area of concern for women MPs is economic issues, followed by services.

4. The performance of women MPs who are elected differs from the performance of those who gained their seats according to a reservation system or a party-list system. The electoral process itself makes the individual acquire an understanding of how to behave in public affairs. It also provides information about their constituency and the problems and issues that concern them. This was indicated by the low level of legislative and censoring tools used in the fourth and fifth PAs, where women were allocated seats according to the systems of seat reservation and party lists, respectively. Between them, they presented one interpolation during the two PAs and no bills. However, in the second PA, they presented seven interpolations and 10 bills.

Women's Impact

It is suggested that the performance of women MPs is largely affected by two factors: first, the role of political parties in society; and second, the pressure from constituents to address local issues.

It is impossible to discuss the influence of women MPs in the legislative assembly in isolation from their role within political parties. A discussion of political parties in turn, cannot be had without referring to the efficacy of political parties in parliament. The influence of women is derived from the efficacy of the political institutions that represent them.

The prevailing political climate places a number of restrictions on political parties and limits their freedom. This is a result of harsh laws, such as the continued application of the Emergency Law, which prevents political parties from developing naturally within society and from gaining popular support. The political framework thus excludes both men and women. In light of the incomplete formation of political parties, women's performance in parliament has been encouraging, although the development of tools to refine their work is still in the making.

Moreover, political parties do not serve women party members except during those terms in which women are included on party lists. However, in most of the parliamentary terms, women MPs, including those from the ruling National Democratic Party, have been "ideologically homogeneous", holding the same political ideas. The difference between them rests on their political history, parliamentary culture and awareness, and the nature and depth of their links with the rest of society.

Second, the nature of parliamentary performance is centred on local issues, that is, both men and women MPs tend to address issues regarding the lack of basic services and infrastructure in society. There is a huge burden on MPs from their constituents to provide these services, and the performance of MPs is judged on this basis. Low incomes and the increase in poverty play an important role in the retreat of politics from parliament in favour of issues related to social services. Thus, the performance of women MPs reflects the prevailing situation in society and not the power of the women's movement, which is more progressive but which lacks the mechanisms of political pressure, especially in light of the fact that political parties still consider women's issues as secondary.

Despite these two factors, a number of women MPs have indicated that developments have been made in the performance of women parliamentarians. In the last elections in November 1995, 87 women ran as candidates, and the intervention of women MPs, particularly on issues affecting women's economic activity, has become more frequent.

^* Wahbi, Azza. 1995. Al-Mar'a Al-Misriya Wa-l-Ajhiza Al-Tashri'iya (Egyptian Women and Legislative Mechanisms). Cairo: Markaz Al-Bahuth wa-l-Dirasat Al-Siyasiya. pp. 17­20.