Raping women who wear ripped jeans is a ‘national duty’ – Egyptian lawyer says

An Egyptian lawyer has sparked outrage for saying harassing and raping girls who wear revealing clothing such as ripped jeans is a “national duty”.

Nabih al-Wahsh, a prominent conservative, made the controversial comments during a TV panel discussion, the Infirad Show, a current affairs talk show in Egypt hosted by Saeid Hasaseen, debating a draft law on prostitution.

And according to Wahsh said it was part of the ‘national duty’ to rape women wearing such garments because they were “inviting men to harass them”.

Are you happy when you see a girl walking down the street with half of her behind showing? the lawyer said on Al-Assema earlier this month.

I say that when a girl walks about like that, it is a patriotic duty to sexually harass her and a national duty to rape her, he added.

He also said that his view was even more valid if the jeans were ripped from the back, according to Al Arabiya.

Girls must respect themselves so others respect them, he said. Protecting morals is more important than protecting borders.

Female guests on the show attempted to fight back against Wahsh’s views after being outraged by his comments.

The debate was aired on October 19 on the Al-Assema satellite channel as guests discussed the country’s draft law fighting prostitution and debauchery.

The National Council for Women’s Rights has now filed a complaint about the statement to the Supreme Council for Media Regulation.

But despite the backlash, Wahsh has refused to back down, and has even released an updated statement to another media website where he said ‘his daughter would also deserve that [rape, sexual harassment] if she decided to wear jeans that are ripped from the back’.