Critics in Egypt say Citroen ad promotes sexual harassment
CTV
An advertisement by a French automaker has stirred up controversy in Egypt after activists said it promotes sexual harassment in a country where the practice is rampant.
The ad by the Egyptian branch of Citroen, released last month, shows popular Egyptian singer and actor Amr Diab driving the latest version of the company's C4, before coming to an abrupt stop in front of a woman crossing the street.
Diab looks at the woman and snaps a picture of her from a camera fixed in the car's rearview mirror. The singer is seen smiling as the woman's image appears on his phone. Both are then seen together as if on a date.
Although apparently intended to feature the car's camera, the advertisement has drawn criticism of the automaker and the 60-year-old singer, seen as a role model for many across the Arab world.
Under pressure from the backlash online, Citroen Egypt offered an apology and removed the 100-second commercial.