For the first time in Egyptian parliamentary history: A woman presides over the first session of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, the first session of the new Egyptian parliament was held under the chairmanship of Representative Farida El Shobashi and assisted by two members, among whom is also a woman, Representative Fatima Selim. This is the first time that a woman presides over the first session of the Egyptian Parliament.

The number of women’s seats in this parliament is 162 (148 by election and the rest by appointment), out of 568 seats, representing 27%. It should be noted that this percentage is the highest rate of female participation in the history of the Egyptian Parliament. The amended Parliament Law No. 140 of 2020 allocated for women no less than 25% of its total elected seats, in addition to half of the 5% that the president appoints.