Party leaders and political activists have hastened to condemn statements made by Muslim Brotherhood (MB) leader Mohamed Badie on a television interview on Saturday in which he said women were "not fit" for the presidency.
“The ability to assume responsibility has nothing to do with gender or religion,” said ruling party MP Georgette Quilliny.
According to Farida al-Naqash, chief editor of the leftist Tagammu Party's weekly newspaper, the MB has a history of "denigrating women’s mental capabilities."
“It has also been against Coptic Christians because they follow another religion,” she added, noting that Badie had recently told leaders of the opposition Wafd Party that the group had amended its traditional views on women.
“How can Badie rule out a woman as president but accept her as prime minister, with all the responsibilities associated with that post?” asked Gamila Ismail, member of the opposition Ghad Party’s executive board.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
