'Be A Man' Vigilantes Spray Paint to Mark Sexual Harassers in Cairo

A new group called "Estargel!", which means "Be a Man!" has started an anti-sexual harassment campaign in Cairo. There have been over 1,000 sexual harassment complaints made over the recent Muslim holiday in the city. Unfortunately, many women in Cairo found that their complaints went unanswered by police and government officials. The "Be a Man" men have started spray painting the word 'harasser' on offenders they see in the community groping women. 

Janette Abdel Alim, an activist with an organization called I've Seen Harassment says the harassment problem is nothing new as it existed before Mubarak's removal last year. "It was a very widespread practice under Mubarak, the idea of assaulting and sexually harassing female activists and journalists using conscripts or thugs. And when we filed complaints, no measures were taken," Abdel Alim said. 

Muhab Selim, a male activist with Estargel says the failure of police to stop the harassment of women has led them to take matters into their own hands. 

"He said, "If I was walking in the street and I molested a girl and I got beat up and trashed and had my dignity put into a bin. I think the next time I'll think a thousand times before I try to act funny with a girl." 

Selim believes this brand of vigilante justice will change the actions of the men in Cairo. 

Read more here.