DHAKA: Egypt is now the worst country for women`s rights in the Arab world, according to a poll of gender experts.

The study found sexual harassment, high rates of female genital mutilation and a growth in conservative Islamist groups contributed to the low ranking, reports the BBC.

The Comoros islands came top in the survey, which was conducted by the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

The poll surveyed more than 330 gender experts in 21 Arab League states as well as Syria.

It is the foundation’s third annual study focusing on women’s rights since the Arab Uprisings in 2011.

BDST: 1354 HRS, NOV 12, 2013
RoR/BSK