SpeakUp News
Last updated on March 17, 2021
Check out all news about AUC's University-wide initiative SpeakUp.
SpeakUp News
Speaking Up and Saving Lives: How to Take Action When Witnessing Sexual Harassment
We witnessed a bold act of bravery a few weeks ago when a woman stood up to a child harasser in Cairo's Maadi neighborhood, exposing his crimes to the world. Catching him on camera, she confronted him and circulated the video on Facebook, causing nationwide outrage and leading to his arrest.
Unleash Your Voice Competition Winners
In light of the movement to combat sexual harassment in the country and on university campuses, AUC's student-led Debate Society held the Unleash Your Voice competition on March 20, which brought together students to debate the question: who has a larger influence on combatting sexual harassment and discrimination – society or state?
Unleash Your Voice: Q&A with Youssef Hashem
AUC’s Debate Society, a student-led organization, is holding one of its biggest events yet – discussing the influence of state and society on sexual harassment. Titled Unleash Your Voice, the event is bringing together faculty, students, specialists and actors to engage in a conversation about sexual harassment in Egypt.
Msh Zanbek: Play Exploring Sexual Harassment Showing Soon
Msh Zanbek, formerly known as You-W-Ana Too, is hitting the stage at AUC on March 22. Months in the making by AUC students, faculty and alumni, the production consists of five plays, each one exploring a different perspective of sexual harassment: families and couples, bystanders, victims and perpetrators, men and women, power and incapacity.
First Custom-Built, Anti-Sexual Harassment Training Launched
Recently, the University launched the first phase of its online anti-sexual harassment training, becoming the first University in Egypt to introduce mandatory training for all faculty, staff and students. The training was custom designed for AUC by a team of in-house experts.
Debating the Portrayals of Gender in Media and Film in SpeakUp Dialog Series
Is the media harming women? At last week's AUC SpeakUp Dialog Series, "Do Portrayals of Gender in Media and Film Reflect Reality or Shape It?" our online poll showed that 66% believe media portrayals shape reality, while 34% think such portrayals simply reflect reality. "There isn't a clear cut answer; it's both," said scriptwriter Tamer Habib, one of the panelists at the event.
AUC Discusses Gender Norms and Upbringing in SpeakUp Dialog Series
"Upbringing starts with the image a woman has of herself. It's how you see yourself that will reflect on how you bring up your children," said Sara Aziz, founder and president of Safe Kids. Aziz was one of the speakers at AUC's SpeakUp Dialog Series: From the Playground to the Living Room: How Are We Socialized Around Gender Norms?"
You, W-Ana Too: Exploring Sexual Harassment from Multiple Perspectives
AUC’s Theatre Program is looking to cast actors for the upcoming production, You W-Ana Too, a play that explores the issue of sexual harassment from various perspectives, including family and couple, bystander, victim and perpetrator, male and female, power and incapacity.
How Can We Combat Harassment and Why Should We Care? Launching the AUC SpeakUp Dialog Series
“The hardest problems to solve are those that we find too shameful even to name or to admit exist,” said President Francis Ricciardone in his opening remarks during the inauguration of the AUC SpeakUp Dialog Series held last Thursday.
Engaging Anti-Harassment Community Dialog
As part of its #AUCSpeakUp initiative, the University is launching a Dialog Series in partnership with a number of institutions and prominent influencers to participate in the national conversation on sexual harassment and raise awareness of this critical issue.
'To All Women: It’s Time to Unleash Our Power'
For business administration student Malak El Menyawi, the ABZ case as well as Nadeen Ashraf's @AssaultPolice were the main trigger for AUC's Student Union to start a task force in collaboration with Heya student organization. The initiative aims to encourage sexual harassment victims to speak up for their rights while informing them of the University’s Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy, steps on how to report and other helpful resources.
Campus Conversation: #AUCSpeakUp in Action
Last Thursday’s Campus Conversation #AUCSpeakUp in Action provided updates about the #AUCSpeakUp initiative, including outcomes of the recently completed misconduct investigation the University’s continuing COVID-19 planning. Part One: #AUCSpeakUp in Action AUC Initiatives to Prevent and Combat Sexual Harassment and Discrimination
‘It Resonates with Me as a Woman’ — Sarrah Abdelrahman ‘11 on Healing from Harassment
Maintaining her Instagram account's good vibes is a goal, but it didn't stop Sarrah Abdelrahman '11 from voicing out her opinion and speaking up for herself, and for sexual harassment victims who've had difficulty healing from their traumas. In an attempt to make the knowledge accessible, Abdelrahman decided to create video series of translations of the book The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse by Ellen Bass and Laura Davis. News@AUC caught up with Abdelrahman to learn about her personal experience as a survivor and her future plans.
"I want to keep the conversation going" — A Personal Note from Nadeen Ashraf, Assault Police Founder
For philosophy senior Nadeen Ashraf, being a full-time student doesn't mean she won't have time to be at the forefront of a movement that's taken the country by storm.
AUC Establishes New Anti-Harassment, Non-Discrimination Office of Institutional Equity
With the aim of combating sexual harassment and safeguarding its community, AUC established the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) on August 1 to handle sexual harassment and discrimination complaints from students, faculty and staff. The office reinforces and underpins AUC’s Anti-Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policy, abiding by Egyptian laws, and strengthening AUC’s reporting channels.
Statements
Outcome of Misconduct Investigation
October 6, 2020
On September 5, the Office of Institutional Equity opened an investigation in response to reports that a group of current and former AUC students shared explicit photos of women on a WhatsApp group. The investigation found evidence of three WhatsApp chat groups active at various times — all of them since disbanded — engaged in sharing explicit photos and videos of women without their consent.
Update on Misconduct Investigation
September 26, 2020
The University is aware of the recent social media posts shared over the weekend. AUC takes these allegations seriously. AUC is currently investigating implicated individuals.
Misconduct Investigation
September 7, 2020
The University is aware of several social media posts that contain allegations of serious misconduct among a WhatsApp group of alumni and possibly current students. AUC takes these allegations seriously and has launched an investigation. The University will take appropriate action against any individuals found to have engaged in misconduct.
SpeakUp in Motion
Interview with Maya Morsy '95, AUC SpeakUp Dialog Series
Interview with Maya Morsy ’95: President, Egypt’s National Council for Women and AUC SpeakUp Dialog Series Advisory Board Member.
Interview with Omar Samra '00, AUC SpeakUp Dialog Series
Interview with Adventurer, Entrepreneur and Motivational Speaker Omar Samra '00 as he is a member of AUC SpeakUp Dialog Series advisory board.
Interview with Nadeen Ashraf AUC philosophy senior, AUC SpeakUp Dialog Series
Interview with AUC philosophy senior Founder of @AssaultPolice AUC SpeakUp Dialog Series Advisory Board Member.
AUC Dialog Series Launch - "SpeakUp: How can we combat harassment and why should we care?"
As the leading University in Egypt, AUC is keen to play a role in raising awareness about sexual harassment as an important social issue and support national and global efforts, in particular as they relate to college campuses. As part of its AUCSpeakUp initiative, the University is proud to partner with other institutions and prominent influencers to create dialog series designed to raise awareness and advance this critical conversation. AUC will continue to reinforce its legacy of equity, anti-harassment, and non-discrimination policy and having a safe campus environment.
SpeakUp Dialog Series: "How can we combat harassment and why should we care?" highlights video
A highlights video of the SpeakUp Dialog Series event: "How can we combat harassment and why should we care?" held on the 19th of Nov. 2020. As the leading University in Egypt, AUC is keen to play a role in raising awareness about sexual harassment as an important social issue and support national and global efforts, in particular as they relate to college campuses. As part of its AUCSpeakUp initiative, the University is proud to partner with other institutions and prominent influencers to create dialog series designed to raise awareness and advance this critical conversation. AUC will continue to reinforce its legacy of equity, anti-harassment, and non-discrimination policy and having a safe campus environment.
AUCSpeakUp Series From the Playground to the Living Room: How are we Socialized Around Gender Norms?
#AUCSpeakUp Dialog Series: From the Playground to the Living Room: How are we Socialized Around Gender Norms? What shapes our expectations of each gender, and how far back do the ideas we’ve established around gender go? Our guest speakers explore common gender roles and stereotypes in today’s society and how they are formed. Event moderator: Samar Negida '11, '14 Panelists: Hania Sholkamy '85, '89, Associate Professor, AUC's Social Research Center Sara Aziz (MA '18), Founder and President, Safe Kids Fatma Khafagy (MA '77), Director, Office of Ombudsman for Gender Equality, Egypt's National Council for Women.
SpeakUp In the Media
Al Shourouk
February 9, 2021
MBC
February 9, 2021
Al Ahram
February 1, 2021
One woman shouldn’t be working on her own. Women should work together. When they do, they create change.
Upbringing starts with the image a woman has of herself. It's how you see yourself that will reflect on how you bring up your children.
