After President Mubarak proposed the constitutional amendments, the most important issue that should be amended in the Constitution is that of the woman's representation in the parliament given that it is the right of the woman to have a real representation there. Under the circumstances, the woman cannot run for elections under the individual system. Some called, however, for amending Article 62 of the Constitution to allow for a flexible electoral system to ensure real representation of the woman in the parliament.

But, I think a specific ratio should be stipulated for the woman in Article 62 of the Constitution and the best model in this regard is the Danish one which stipulates that the ratio of the two sexes in the parliament should not be less than 20%. Hence, there will be no discrimination between the woman and the man and this ratio would be not challenged as an unconstitutional. I wish that the committees of the People's Assembly and the Shura Council which prepare the new constitution would study the Danish experience regarding the woman's representation in the parliament.

Al Akhbar
By: Nabil Luka Bibawi
1/3/2007