Egypt’s state broadcaster has suspended eight female anchors and instructed them to lose weight within a month, leading to an outcry from women’s rights advocates.
The edict was given by the state-run broadcaster Egyptian Radio and Television Union, which said the women could only return to the air if they had an “appropriate appearance,” the BBC reported.
Some of those who were suspended decried the weight-loss edict as “humiliating” and “scandalous.” The Women’s Centre for Guidance and Legal Awareness, a women’s rights advocate, called the suspensions “” in a Facebook post translated by the BBC.
Khadija Khatab, one of the women who was suspended, said she believes her looks represent the average woman in her country.
“I believe I am an ordinary Egyptian woman who looks normal, and I don’t wear too much makeup,” Khatab said, according to The New York Times.
Khatab said she believes the suspensions are more about her superiors’ fears about the news the women anchors presented than their weight.
“It is just an attempt to get rid of the successful [presenters] and retain others who present programs that have no strong content,” Khatab told newspaper Al Watan, according to Gulf News.
Ironically, Safaa Hegazy, director of the Egyptian Radio and Television Union, is a woman and a former news anchor herself.
Alaa el-Sadani, a commentator at the newspaper Al-Ahram, said she was “sickened by the disgusting and repulsive” appearance of the suspended anchors, The New York Times reported.
And Fatma al-Sharawi, a journalist at Al-Ahram, said she thinks the policy should also be expanded to include local TV stations, according to the BBC.
But eight anchors were getting widespread support on social media, especially outside of Egypt.
Some Egyptian men also supported the suspended women.
Sayyid Hegazy, a journalist and member of the Egyptian parliament who is not related to Safaa Hegazy, asked the Sada al-Balad news website, “Who is an ideal weight in Egypt?”
Hegazy added that a presenter “might be a little overweight, but she is eloquent.”
No plans have been announced to apply a weight standard to Egypt’s male broadcasters.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.