“Inadequate” Laws

The reality, however, tells a different story. Mohamed Farhat, a lawyer and member of UNESCO’s Global Network of Experts on AI Ethics and the Rule of Law, says women jailed over debt are among the groups most vulnerable to online blackmail and sexual exploitation. Yet many are reluctant to pursue legal action, fearing that filing a complaint could expose their prior conviction—ultimately compounding the problem rather than resolving it.

Lawyer Nora Ibrahim, director of the White Page project—an initiative that works to restore the reputations of formerly incarcerated women and help clear their criminal records—says: “The violations of privacy addressed in Article 25 of Law 175 are, in practice, effectively unchecked when it comes to formerly incarcerated debtors. A prior conviction and the stigma attached to it give perpetrators a sense of impunity; they feel assured the victim will never file an official report. The idea of resisting—or even pushing back—often feels impossible, particularly when the harassment comes from a neighbour who provides financial support, leaving her little choice but silence.”

She adds that this group has a particular vulnerability stemming from the stigma of prior convictions, even after their sentences have been served. “When a debtor who has served a prison sentence is subjected to digital abuse, she is far less likely to report it to the authorities,” she explains, “for fear that her name will once again appear in official databases… making it harder for her to assert her rights.”

The System is the Biggest Obstacle

The problem runs deeper than the law acknowledges. Criminal convictions remain on official criminal records unless the women themselves take steps to have them removed. Yet many lack the knowledge or guidance needed to navigate the process of clearing their names from the Ministry of Interior’s databases or from criminal records.

When she goes to file a complaint and her ID is run through the “system”, she may be arrested over old convictions that were never removed — even if she has served her sentence or been acquitted. In an instant, she can shift from complainant to accused, from a victim seeking justice to a defendant fighting for her freedom.

Numbers Reveal the Scale of the Crisis

The European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) has published a study on cyber violence against women and girls in the European Union, describing digital violence as intentional conduct carried out through information and communication technologies. It encompasses forms such as online harassment, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, hate speech, and the non-consensual dissemination of intimate images or videos. Such acts are often accompanied by threats and financial or sexual extortion, inflicting psychological, physical, and economic harm.

Such violence can sometimes drive victims to withdraw from digital spaces, which in turn undermines their access to education, employment, and opportunities to build social networks.

Globally, a report by UN Women, published on November 19, 2025, highlighted the expanding reach of digital violence against women and girls, pointing to a clear gap in legislation.

World Bank data indicate that fewer than 40 percent of countries have laws protecting women from online harassment or digital stalking — leaving roughly 1.8 billion women and girls without access to legal protection.

In Egypt, Dr. Hend Fouad, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the National Center for Social and Criminological Research, conducted a study published in May 2025 in Afaaq Ijtima‘iyya (Social Horizons), a journal issued by the Information and Decision Support Center of the Egyptian Cabinet. Titled “Combating Violence Against Women and Girls Around the World: Efforts and Protection Mechanisms,” the study examines the prevalence of cyber violence. Dr. Fouad emphasizes that cyber violence is currently one of the most widespread forms of abuse against women and girls. She notes that many women refrain from seeking legal protection during disputes due to a lack of economic empowerment, which could give them a sense of security for themselves and their children. According to the study, digital violence is a major source of concern for women, posing serious threats to their physical safety and mental health.

Dr. Hend explains: “Women in debt are among the most socially and economically vulnerable. They often fall into the cycle of debt to meet basic family needs or because of gaps in social protection and limited legal and financial awareness. Digital violence intersects with their reality, magnifying their vulnerability and deepening their social exclusion.”

She adds: “The social stigma attached to women in debt is digitally reproduced through posts or comments that portray them as morally culpable, reinforcing negative stereotypes and closing off opportunities for support and social inclusion.”

Dr. Hend Fouad, Assistant Professor of Sociology at the National Center for Social and Criminological Research, also highlights exploitation via informal digital platforms that post ads or run pages offering “quick loans” or “instant debt solutions,” specifically targeting women in debt. These often result in unfair terms or online scams that exacerbate their indebtedness.

Official Statistics

The 2024 report from the Women’s Complaints Office, part of the National Council for Women, underscores the severity of the situation. Crimes of violence and discrimination ranked second in the volume of complaints, after personal status issues, accounting for approximately 11 percent of all reports. These complaints include domestic and sexual violence, as well as other forms of abuse.

Job Ads: A New Gateway for Exploitation

Exploitation doesn’t come only from husbands, trust receipt holders, or lawyers — sometimes it comes from unexpected sources. Lawyer Nora Ibrahim emphasizes that women in debt face various forms of daily exploitation simply because they have a criminal record.

She recounts the story of one of her clients, who sank into massive debt after the death of her husband, leaving her with three children. A judgment was issued against her due to her inability to repay the debts. She responded to a Facebook ad seeking a domestic worker, often leaving her phone number on postings she came across, hoping to find a job to provide for her children’s daily needs.

But her client fell into the trap of certain individuals: one propositioned her for sex in exchange for money or demanded that she appear nude on video, while another demanded a photo of her national ID before she could reach his “villa,” then used it to expose, blackmail, and pressure her over the cases filed against her.

Lawyer Nora Ibrahim says that her client “faces daily violations and is forced to keep working,” noting that this man also physically assaulted her client, telling her, “Who do you think you are? You’re an ex-convict.”

Attempts to Fight Back: Are They Enough?

Nevine Ebeid, Executive Director of the New Woman Foundation, believes that addressing blackmail and online violence requires serious consideration of practical solutions. She points out that the response of relevant authorities, such as the Cybercrime Unit and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, often depends on cases that gain wide attention on social media and turn into matters of public opinion, while less-publicized cases receive far less attention — undermining the principle of equal access to justice.

She explains that most of the cases that reach the foundation involve girls who are primarily seeking advice rather than direct legal intervention. In addition, she points out that the available communication channels, particularly WhatsApp, allow them to speak freely. Still, very few agree to provide voice recordings unless they are prepared to initiate an official complaint.

Ebeid emphasizes that deciding to pursue legal action remains difficult and overwhelming for many, because it requires the victim herself to reveal the extortion and disclose what she considers a “scandal.” Even going to the police station to report it places a heavy psychological burden on her.

On-the-Ground Efforts

“Don’t be afraid… whatever the type of blackmail or violence, you are not alone.” This was one of the messages from a campaign launched by the Life Foundation for Development and Community Integration (LFDCI) in Egypt in conjunction with the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. Women in debt were among the targeted groups.

Hala Fouad, a social worker and trainer at the foundation, explains that several indebted women, including some who had served prison terms — along with their daughters — have been subjected to online violence. They are pressured because of the social stigma that continues to follow them even after an acquittal. She adds that some cases have led to suicide attempts: “Some women have seen their home lives fall apart due to harassment or digital violence.”

The foundation provides training on digital safety and awareness of online risks, teaching women — including those in debt — how to secure their accounts, navigate social media safely, and detect if they are being tracked or monitored. The training also covers legal consequences and the legal framework governing cybercrime, alongside offering guidance and support for those facing extortion.

Hala Fouad explains, “Of course, because they are formerly incarcerated or have legal issues, they were afraid,” noting that these women do reach out to relevant authorities for protection, including the Cybercrime Unit, the Child Helpline, and pages and initiatives that combat digital violence — especially the abuse faced by women in debt and their daughters.

Women in Debt: Trapped on All Sides

Iman expresses deep regret over the debts that have taken a toll on her mental health and that of her daughters, who bore the cost alongside her. After her husband abandoned her, married another woman, and refused to provide for their children, she had no choice but to borrow money to pay for their education and daily needs. In a resolute tone, she says, “Under no circumstances will I ever do this again. That’s it.”

But regret alone is not enough. Women in debt find themselves trapped between the debts that landed them in prison, the stigma that has been turned into a weapon in the hands of extortionists, and laws that protect them on paper but fail to safeguard them in reality. And the “system” neither forgets nor forgives.

This report was produced with the support of ARIJ.