Egyptian women activists criticise Nawal Saadawi for her call to legalise prostitution

A group of Egyptian female activists have attacked Egyptian feminist writer Nawal El-Saadawi for calls she made for legalising prostitution in the country instead of denying its existence.

El-Saadawi also claimed that Islam does not oppose abortion. Her critics stressed that her statements contradict religious and social values and clearly violate women’s rights, arguing that the legalisation of prostitution could turn women into commodities but with a legal cover.

Speaking at a seminar, Saadawi demanded that prostitution be legalised in Egypt, saying that prostitution is a disease and it’s better to admit its existence in Egyptian society rather than hide it, adding that it should be put under the government’s supervision.

Human rights activist Dalia Ziada criticized Saadawi, saying that she’s perplexed by the fact that Saadawi, an activist who has a history of defending women’s rights, is now calling for violating these very rights. Ziada stressed that Sadwi’s call for legalising prostitution is a clear and explicit violation of Egyptian women’s rights.

The Head of the Federation of Afro-Asian Lawyers for Human Rights Ismat El-Merghani said that the idea of legalising prostitution cannot be implemented at all, especially as it is incompatible with all religions.