contract stipulating thepossibility ofdivorcing theirhusbands waslow,andthe practice waslimited totheeducated sectorofsociety. Therewas,however, nothing inEgyptian laworintheprinciples ofIslamic lawtoprevent awomanfrom requesting theinclusion ofsuchastipulation inhermarriage contract. 75.TheCHAIRPERSON welcomed thefactthatwithdrawal ofthereservation to article 9wasunderconsideration. Shewouldappreciate moreinformation on gefactoasopposed todeiureequality ofrights, opportunities andchoices in Egypt. Inconnection withtheroleofIslamic law,shewondered whattheposition ofsecular, non-religious womenwasinEgypt. Shealsowondered whateffectthe veryhighdrop-out ratesfromprimary andsecondary education hadonliteracy rates. Shedeplored thefactthataswitnesses womendidnothavethesamestatus asmen,andsaidthattheparticipation ofwomeninpolitics inEgyptneeded improvement. Shealsofeltthatagreater sharing offamilyresponsibilities was important, particUlarly giventhehighfertility rate. 76.Ms.CORTIsaidthatmuchremained tobedonetoensureequality ofmenand womeninEgyptandthatshecouldnotagreethatprogress inthatareamustawait improvements intheeconomic situation. Islamic lawwasveryliberal butshe wondered whetheritwassubject tomisinterpretation. Sheaskedwhether conservative trends, particularly fundamentalism, wereaffecting Egyptandwhether theirimpact wasfeltmainly amongoldpeopleoryoungpeople. Shewishedtoknow whether divorce wascovered byasingle bodyoflawsorbyseparate Coptic and Islamic laws.Inconnection witharticle 7,shewondered whether thefactthat therewasonewomanminister withtwoportfolios reallyconstituted progress by comparison withthesituation described intheinitial report. 77.Sincethereasonforthehighdrop-out ratewasearlymarriage ratherthan economic factors, amajorpubliceducation effort wasneeded -toreduceit.In connection witharticles 15and16,shenotedthattradition andcustom sometimes madeitdifficult toimplement laws.Lastly, shewondered whatmeasures were planned tocombatillegal abortions, whichposedagreatdangertowomen. 78.Ms.GONZALEZ MARTINEZ saidthataclearer picture wasneededofprogress in theareasoflabour andemployment. Thehighdrop-out rateattheprimary and secondary levelscould,ofcourse,' beexplained byfinancial need,butitcould alsobearesultofdiscrimination, inthattheremightbeatendency tosacrifice agirl's education ratherthanaboy's. Shewondered therefore whatproportion of drop-outs weregirlsandwhatproportion wereboys. . /...J ~ 'ICEDAW/C/SR.164 English Page15 79.Ms.OESERnotedthatthesecondperiodic report (CEDAW/C/l3/Add.2, p.3) statedthatthequestion ofthevalidity oftheprovisions oftheConvention orof referral tothembeforecourtsoflawdidnotarise. Wasthatbecause therewere nocases,orbecause therewasnoconflict between theConvention anddomestic law?Thetableonpage23ofthereport showedincreased employment ofwomenin mining, petroleum andconstruction; shewondered whatkindofworkwomendidin thosesectors. Shewelcomed thefactthatEgyptwasreconsidering itsreservations tocertain provisions oftheConveution. 80.Ms.TALLAWY saidthatthesecondperiodic report. whilemakinganimprovement overtheinadequate initial report. shouldhavebeenstillbetter. Shehopedthat thethirdreportwouldreflect therelevant guidelines andcomments. Shewelcomed thenewjobopportunities forwomeninthearmy.police andjudiciary. butwas concerned atthelackofprogress inrespect oftheNational Commission forWomen~ whoseprogramme wasneverdescribed inthereport. Sheregretted thelackof interest shownbyEgyptian womeninpursuing theirrightsandplaying amore dynamic roleinsociety. 81.Shewelcomed Egypt's decision toreconsider itsreservation toarticle 9,but feltthatthereservations toarticles 2and16didadisservice tothecountry. Thereservation toarticle 2shouldnotexistatall,because Egyptian lawexcluded discrimination. Thereservations tomanysubparagraphs ofarticle 16couldalsobe withdrawn. because noconflict withIslamic lawwasinvolved. Themeeting roseat1.10p.m. J;
**Analysis**
The text discusses the situation of women in Egypt, focusing on their rights, education, employment, and participation in politics. The speakers express concerns about the high drop-out rates, lack of progress in implementing laws, and the impact of conservative trends on women's rights. The discussion also touches on the role of Islamic law and its potential for misinterpretation.

**Category**
Education, Employment, Human Rights