Livelihood Reports Al Amrikeya Area - Final Assessment | Page 148

2.4.1.4 Gender Perspectives
Regarding the gender experience, studies show
that women and men experience public spaces
differently, whereas, women groups also differ
in their type of experience. This is highly con-
firmed from the responses received from the
surveys. Most female students who do not re-
side in October city, they come to AAA only to
eat during university breaks. They usually nev-
er come alone, always with friends, and never
at night, since they leave directly as soon as
they finish university (usually around 3 pm). In
addition, shop owners and keepers also con-
firmed that women usually come alone in the
mornings up till 6pm after which they come in
families, or couples. There are more activities
oriented towards men than women like play
station hubs, and certain cafes.
Overall, the area is considered safe for men.
Most men indicated that they don’t avoid any
places in the area (just one mentioned expen-
sive places), yet most women (and men) indi-
cated that women should avoid at least one
place. These places include the gaming shops,
the passage near the university, secondary
roads, passages around al-Amrikiyya mall that
lead from Melody Café to Gad, Melody Café,
the area where tuktuks and microbuses wait
to load passengers, and the area dominated by
street vendors in front of Zamzam mall. It was
also clear that stores on the second and third
floors of some malls are not explored much by
females, versus males who expressed how safe
they were.
indicated that they have seen some sort of rob-
bery or harassment vs. men who have indicated
they have seen conflicts or fights. Nevertheless,
there seems to be a consensus that robbery is
common in the area and that the orphanage
nearby is the cause for these robberies. Ac-
cording to a male interviewed, it is not wise
for women to walk in the area of the tuk tuks
and microbuses load passengers and the area
in front of the mall that is full of street vendors
because they are very rude; women usually
have to walk further to avoid passing in these
crowded areas. Additionally, young women ex-
pressed how horrendous it feels for them when
the CA arrives and everyone is running in all
directions. Furthermore, Egyptian female par-
ticipants indicated that they rarely face harass-
ment on the “Syrian Passage” and they related
this to the high density of Syrians (who don’t
have this culture and are very polite according
to them). Yet, Syrians (both residents males
and females) expressed that harassment is very
common in the area (including the “Syrian Pas-
sage”) mostly from Egyptians and in particular
clients of cafes.
2.4.1.5 Security Issues
Security issues in the area are mostly associ-
ated with the female experience. For most fe-
male respondents it was clear that the random-
ness and high density on the streets (caused by
street vendors ands) cause a lot of stress and
bother them. This in part is due to the fear of
being physically harassed/ groped or robbed
amidst the crowd, especially that most women
2.4 | Socio-Economic Analysis
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