Egyptian women, we salute you. You make us proud, not only have you shown strength and patriotism, but BBC studies have estimated that you formed about 60% of protestors on the events on June 30th.

We have been insulted, harassed, violently beaten and even raped in cases when we took to the streets to voice our opposition. But despite the hundreds of reports of mass harassment and rape that bullies carried out to hush our voices, we still show our strength and resilience. Hats off to you.

Impressed by the massive female participation in the demonstrations — including those of elderly ladies who, not being able to walk, simply sat on the streets to show solidarity — from Egyptian women of all ages, background and walks of life, we went around asking you, women of Egypt, how you overcame fears of harassment and made your voices heard:

Here’s what you told us:

“Personally it worries my every time I go. But I just decide ‘what the heck, everyone’s going ?????? ??? ???? [why not me]’ so I wear conservative clothes and just try to mind my own business. Plus, nothing’s gonna make me miss out on all these celebrations until it gets real ugly. But once again I tell u, I think of it every time I decide to go.” – Salma El Sayed. 

“My first participation was on January 28th, 2011. Then I couldn’t participate afterwards because my mum didn’t approve. Then on June 30th I succeeded to convince her again that I must go. I had to go because we are the ones who will decide the future of our country and it’s now or never. I had confidence in the Egyptian people that there will be no harassment and I also had faith in our army that they will support the people will so we have to show them we are the majority. And I was right, thanks God.” – Inas Sadek.

“It is the first time my mom doesn’t cry and beg me to stay home.” –  Imz Khattab.

“My grannies (92 and 86) signed the Tamarod petition [to oust former president, Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi], they would go out if they could. They are worried sick but can’t resist when I say it’s a duty. My dad, who so often roams the streets if I didn’t pick up the phone, says everyone needs to go and my fiancee just takes me with him so I would stop nagging. The fight is easy this time, everyone knows there’s a risk but no one can deny you the right to be part of that. Viva Egypt!” – Reem El Tonsy.

“I went to Itehadeya and it is well-known that there isn’t much harassment there, but I wouldn’t go to Tahrir Square, for instance, without a guy with me. I had to go because there have to be masses for it to be safe so we had to go so we form masses and keep other protestors safe.” – Hoda El Sherbiny.

“Leaving Tahrir on Sunday was stressful out of fear of being harassed… thankfully none of us were. But that doesn’t meant we won’t. And that still doesn’t mean we won’t go back. ”There is no passion so contagious as that of fear.'” – Shaden Fawaz.

“We stayed home for a long time, it was time to rise against all fears and prove our existence and that we have a vital role in this country. My parents opposed at first but I insisted and I was determined to free my country so they surrendered, (she laughs) I couldn’t stay ??? ????? ?? ?????  [I was about to burst with anger.]” – Noha Abdel Hamid.

“(Laughing) El Doc [her dad] doesn’t know I protest but my mother is pro taking to the streets. She did so herself. Plus there’s a whole defiance vibe from the people against any requests not to go out to the streets.” – Naila Fateen.

“My dad let my brother go to every rally. However, they feared my going after the harassment cases. But, dad couldn’t resist going himself so, he initiated  the Sixth of October neighborhood rally and sent letters and stuff to all the neighboring compounds and we all took our friends and protected each other. So, yes, your parents may oppose, but help them find a way around it.” – Christina Aiad.

“I was dying to go down to either Tahrir Square or Itehadeya because I really wanted to stand up for Egypt. At first my parents weren’t letting me go down at all, so I stayed close by. The second day, I couldn’t just sit there and watch and so I went with my friends to Itehadeya. The vibe and patriotism in the air were amazing,  it was the least I could do for my country and fellow brothers and sisters.” – Heba El-Bidewy.

“Because I did not want my fear to take over and become contagious and then it becomes a domino effect where no girl leaves her home. I find comfort in seeing other girls take to the street and so I feel I would be doing the same when I decide to go down. I cannot deny that I am more scared of the harassment danger now than I was before, which makes me more alert and I do not usually stand in areas where I cannot move freely but I still take to the street.” – Fatma Zakaria.

“What the Brotherhood did over the year was too much to take, especially their blatant insults to Islam and how they regarded the majority of the people as heretics. People felt that this is the last chance to reclaim the Egypt we know before we lose it for ever. The Brotherhood were not going to be in the protests so the possibilities of harassment decreased.” – Menna Yehia Badr El Din.