An Egyptian lawyer has prompted an international outcry after saying it's a 'national duty' to sexually harass or rape women who wear revealing clothes.

Nabih al-Wahsh, a prominent conservative, made the disturbing comments during a TV panel show discussion debating a draft law on fighting prostitution.

'Are you happy when you see a girl walking down the street with half of her behind showing?' the lawyer asked on the Infrad Show (via Variety Alarabiya English).

'I say that when a girl walks about like that, it is a patriotic duty to sexually harass her and a national duty to rape her.'

Violence on women | ELLE UKpinterest
Getty Images

Egypt's National Council for Women has responded by announcing it plans to file a complaint against the TV channel, Al-Assema.

It is a patriotic duty to sexually harass her and a national duty to rape her

The National Council also said it would be filing a complaint against Mr al-Wahsh himself and admonished his assertion.

youtubeView full post on Youtube

'All the members of the council denounce and decry this statement that explicitly promotes rape and sexual harassment,' the council released in a statement.

It has also appealed for media outlets to stop hosting controversial figures who make comments that incite sexual violence against women.

woman sexual assault | ELLE UKpinterest
Getty Images

Head of the National Council for Women Doctor Maya Mursi also said that his comments violate the Egyptian constitution which protects women from all forms of violence.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian capital Cairo has been described as the 'most dangerous' megacity for women in the first international poll which looked at how women fare in cities with over ten million people (via BBC News).

Women's rights campaigners in Cairo blame centuries-old traditions for the discrimination there, with limited help for women trying to make progress.

Women also have limited access to good healthcare, finance and education.

Headshot of Naomi Gordon
Naomi Gordon

Naomi Gordon is news writer mainly covering entertainment news with a focus on celebrity interviews and television.