Egypt has criticised Citroen’s advertisement for sexual harassment.
French carmaker Citroen has come under fire for “romanticizing sexual harassment” after putting out an advertisement in Egypt touting a new feature that apparently allows drivers to click pictures of unsuspecting pedestrians.
The ad for the manufacturer’s new C4 vehicle was released earlier this month, but has more recently become the subject of furious debate on social media, after women’s rights activists in Egypt criticized its promotion of “predatory behavior.”
The advertisement shows Amr Diab, a prominent Egyptian singer driving the car before nearly running over a pedestrian crossing the street. While they look at each other, Diab appears press the button on his rear-view mirror and windscreen.
This creates a picture of “the beautiful moment” being snapped and transmitted to Diab’s phone. Later the couple is seen together going on a night out and taking a ride in a car. It has been watched more than 3 million times on YouTube and clips have been shared widely on social media.
There are so many ads that you can make. @CitroenYour marketing department opted for the sexual harassment/stalking approach. This gave rise to predatory behavior in a country that is notoriously known for sexual harassment. You and your marketing department discussed the matter thoroughly. https://t.co/3plRrCYsw7
— Amro Ali (@_amroali) December 28, 2021
“Photographing others without their permission is a crime,”Speak Up Egypt, a platform supporting Egyptians “victims of violence,”It shared the video via Twitter, it was noted. Describing Diab’s actions as “harassment,”Speak Up stated that the event was illegal. “normal”Or “acceptable”He did this despite being famous and the fact that the ad was framed in an a “romantic context.”
Egyptian Streets reports that the group has warned about multiple cases in Egypt, where Egyptian women were photographed by unknown people without consent. According to Egyptian Streets news outlet, those responsible have been fined as well as sentenced to jail terms.
تصوير الغير بدون إذنه جريمـة بيعاقب عليها القانون..حتى لو اللي بيعمل ده حد مشهـور وفي سياق رومانسي ده مش هيخليه عادي أو شيء مقبول؛ هيفضل اسمه تحرش. pic.twitter.com/VqBNNuuHRu
— Speak Up (@SpeakUp_00) December 28, 2021
Rosaline Elbay (a prominent Egyptian actress) has also spoken out on the matter. callingThe ad is an example “sexual harassment”Asking Citroen if Citroen was aware if it was. “crime.”Sabah Khodir (poet, activist) questioned if the carmaker did indeed do a sales advertisement that promoted it. “improved technology that helps you harass women quicker and effortlessly.”
Neither Citroen nor Diab – who has been called out for allegedly “objectifying women” – has commented on the controversy yet. Egyptian Streets has alleged that the carmaker’s division in the country has been deleting negative feedback and criticism from its social media posts.
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