A flicker of hope for women across Egypt may have been sparked on Friday, after the first female to head a political party in the country was elected.
Breaking through Egypt’s political glass ceiling, Hala Shukrallah succeeded former Egyptian Vice President Mohammad ElBaradei to become the Constitution Party’s president.
And her win not only represents women, who are a minority in Egyptian politics; she is also a Coptic Christian, a community that makes up 10 around percent of the country’s population.
Shukrallah, the founding member of the party, won 108 out of 189 votes, reported Egyptian daily al-Ahram, in the party’s first elections for the position of chairmanship.
Shukrallah’s two opponents, former TV host Gamila Ismail and physician Hossam Abdel-Ghafar — both also founding members — took 57 and 23 votes respectively. Two votes were spoilt.
Party member Sayed Kassem had been acting as its interim chief since July, AlArabiya informs.
