Promoting Gender Equality in the Egyptian Justice System

A welcome in the Reves Room. L-R: Grace Klauer, Program Director, Presidential Precinct; Teresa Longo; Hala Doma; Rana Raad; Amal Mahmoud Mohamed Ahmed; and Nesma Elsayed Ellbalboushy Mohamed. (Photo: Kate Hoving) By Kate Hoving

Throughout the year, in partnership with the Presidential Precinct, the Reves Center hosts delegations from around the world under the auspices of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

This past fall, three lawyers and their translator came to Williamsburg as part of the State Department’s Egypt Project. The objectives were to illustrate the evolution of the rule of law in the U.S. and how it promotes fair, inclusive, transparent, accessible, and independent judiciaries; to introduce visitors to inspiring female legal leaders in the academic, public, and private sectors; and to create linkages among professionals in the legal field working to promote international cooperation in strengthening women’s leadership in and access to justice.

In addition to International Liaison & Interpreter Ms. Rana Raad, the delegation included:

Ms. Amal Mahmoud Mohamed Ahmed (Quena): Lawyer
Focus of work: Gender issues, particularly female genital mutilation (FGM). Amal has contributed her expertise and legal acumen to the work of several civil society organizations to increase public awareness of the physical and legal consequences of FGM. She has also consulted with various groups in proposing amendments and revision to the personal status law and the criminal code. Amal also seeks to enhance women’s participation in local bar associations.
Ms. Nesma Elsayed Elbalboushy Mohamed (Cairo): Founder/Executive Director, Sanad Initiative for Legal Support for Women
Focus of work: Gender issues, child marriage, sexual harassment, gender-based violence, FGM, and domestic worker exploitation. In addition to founding Sanad Initiative, she provides legal assistance and advice to at-risk women through the National Council for Women. Nesma has also collaborated with the Center for Egyptian Women’s Legal Assistance on gender issues, which contributed to the revisions to and proposed amendments to key laws, including the personal status law.
Ms. Hala Doma (Cairo): Attorney; Founder/Owner, Horreya Legal Consulting Office
Focus of work: Children’s and labor rights as well as media freedom. She has specialized in women’s rights since 2020, representing female clients facing political detention, forced disappearance and torture. Additionally, she works as an advocate to raise awareness among historically neglected populations about their legal rights and conducts research on these topics. Doma also works on issues such as violence against women and defending survivors of Daesh who were taken as wives of fighters, and therefore face terrorism-related charges.

Panel discussions, demonstrations and tours

list of meetings and photos from meetings
The History of Gender Roles in American Case Law (Virtual Session) Andrea L. Miller, Senior Court Research Associate at the National Center for State Courts and Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Enforcing Anti-discrimination Laws in the U.S. Legal System (Virtual Session) Cassie Crawford, Assistant U.S. Attorney, Middle District of North Carolina
The Intersection Between Gender and Law Lina Kassem, Visiting Assistant Professor of Politics, William & Mary
Difficulties for Women in the Legal Profession Nancy Combs, Ernest W. Goodrich Professor of Law, William & Mary Law School Stacy Kern-Scheerer, Director of Clinical Programs: Director, Immigration Clinic; Clinical Associate Professor of Law, William & Mary Law School
How Journalism and Law Enforcement Partner Sean Dunn, Chief of Police, City of Williamsburg Kim O'Brian Root, Editor of the Virginia Gazette Major David Jay, Williamsburg Police Department Major Ashley Nichols, Williamsburg Police Department

Courtroom Technology Demonstration of Proto, Inc. Hologram Portal & Discussion at the Center for Legal & Court Technology Fredric Lederer, Chancellor Professor of Law; Director, Center for Legal & Court Technology, William & Mary Law School Tracy Byrd, Center for Legal & Court Technology Administrator, William & Mary Law School At the Center for Legal & Court Technology the visitors "became" holograms using the Center's Proto Epic, equipment provided by California-based hologram company Proto Inc.

First Africans Commemoration at Jamestown Settlement Executive Director Christy S. Coleman