For instance, Morsi and his wife Naglaa Ali Mahmoud, are strictly conservative members of the Muslim Brotherhood, which, among other things, teaches young women that “men are designed to lead, and women are designed to follow.” Clearly, something is wrong with this picture.

In a critical time such as this, while Egypt still is feeling out the beginnings of its new government, it is even more crucial that women are encouraged to participate in the governmental process.

It’s hugely important the voices of Egyptian women are heard and these women are permitted to play a more active role in their governance. Egyptian women clearly already know how to play an active role in their futures, as was demonstrated continually throughout the countless protests that were part of the Arab Spring last year. Egyptian women, much like women everywhere, are smart and capable. But sometimes we are so dominated by a particular group or societal norm that it can be difficult to realize our full potential.

Something that might slip under the radar for most MSU students is the recent rise of sexual harassment toward women in Egypt. This includes not only harassment toward foreign female journalists and tourists, but toward Egyptian women as well.

This issue was brought into the public eye once again when British journalism student Natasha Smith was sexually assaulted when a crowd of Egyptian citizens, celebrating the successful election, suddenly turned into an angry mob of men, violently stripping Smith of her clothes as well as her dignity.

Stories like Smith’s are famous, and unfortunately, sometimes serve as the frame for how outsiders view the Middle East. Take CBS reporter Lara Logan for instance. Last spring when reporting on the revolution in Egypt, Logan was sexually assaulted, resulting in a story much like Smith’s.

Although these stories are horrifying to anyone who has the mental capacity to imagine this situation happening to themselves or a loved one, it is important to remember that it’s not the entire story. Things like this happen every day, all over the world, but the reason we don’t hear about it is because it happens to women who aren’t necessarily young, blonde and pretty. This could happen to anyone, and it does far too often.

The problem here isn’t Egyptian men, it’s a societal problem that runs much deeper. But this problem doesn’t exist only in the Middle East. We see sexual harassment and assault every day in the U.S., and it’s one factor that’s contributing to the suppression of women’s voices in society and their treatment as second-class citizens.

Every year, we hear reports of rape and sexual assault taking place right here on MSU’s campus. Although you might not see the direct link between sexual assault at MSU and sexual assault in Egypt, I assure you, there is one. Rape is about control. It’s is a perfect example of a situation where “men are designed to lead, and women are designed to follow.”

On June 8, a group of Egyptian women held a protest in Tahrir Square denouncing sexual harassment. These women were violently attacked by a group of men and were reportedly groped and sexually assaulted; this in response to a protest condemning sexual harassment. Some believe this type of harassment is part of a larger effort to keep Egyptian women out of politics. After all, if women are too afraid to leave their homes, they can’t go out to vote.

Since I don’t want this article to focus strictly on condemning Egyptian men — after all, they’re not all bad — I’ll turn my focus back to MSU. East Lansing being a city mostly composed of young men and women, it’s not uncommon to see or experience sexual harassment. My experience with sexual harassment at MSU has been strictly reserved to catcalling and unwelcome sexual advances, nothing any young woman can’t handle.

But reports of rape happen several times a year on campus. Countless young women avoid walking on the Red Cedar River Trail, also known as the Rape Trail, at night for fear of being targeted, and there are constant warnings coming at us to avoid walking alone on campus at night at all costs.

Sexual harassment, no matter how innocent someone might perceive it to be, only serves to build an atmosphere contaminated by fear and distrust. Although the instances of sexual harassment and assault we see at MSU might appear different from attacks reported elsewhere, it is important to remember that any time women are viewed as objects to be rated, devalued and tossed out, we have a serious problem.

Caron Creighton is a guest columnist at The State News and a professional writing senior. Reach her at creigh16@msu.edu.