Protest outside the Presidential Palace. Image via Imprint Movement

Last week, a street harasser in Egypt murdered a 16-year-old woman after she stood up to him. Outraged, students at the nearby Assiut University held a protest in her memory.

Via the Daily News Egypt:

“Mustafa is not the victim of her harasser and murderer, but the victim of an entire society which blacklists any girl who stands up and defends herself against harassment as shameless” [medical student Mo’men Assem] Hassan said, explaining the protest was also to send a message to college girls that they should defend themselves the way Mustafa did.

“This is more than just a harassment case, or even a murder case” Hassan said “it’s about a village girl, neither a political activist nor informed of human rights, yet determined to resist the harasser.”

According to Hassan, there are now calls for a march to be held on 14 October, demanding an anti-harassment law.”

A few days ago, police arrested the alleged killer. He denied harassing her and claimed she spat at him for no reason and that he fired a “shot at the wall,” not at her. Yeah right. How come she’s dead?!

Daily News Egypt reports:

“Assiut security director, Major General Mohamed Ibrahim, said an automatic rifle and ammunition were found with Nassar upon his arrest near a mountainous area, according to independent daily Al-Masry Al-Youm. The investigation also revealed Nassar had previously been accused of murder, attempted murder, and resisting authorities.”

How is he still free to walk around murdering more people?! Our legal systems outrage me.

A lot of people agree. On Sunday, there was a protest outside the Presidential Palace, decrying the woman’s murder and calling for stricter harassment laws. It was co-organized by Basma and Nefsi.

The Egyptian Independent reports:

“About two dozen protesters lined the sidewalk along the main boulevard at rush hour, holding signs bearing messages such as ‘I don’t want to be afraid when I walk in the streets,’ and ‘Morsy, Morsy, where are you?’ in reference to President Mohamed Morsy. Basma has also organized patrols in metro stations to identify sexual harassers and report them to police.”

I am continually inspired by Egyptian activists who simply won’t give up and protest, patrol, and creatively address street harassment every week. I am confident that one day, they will succeed.