Tahrir Square, the site known around the world for Egypt’s historic revolution has another much more dubious reputation — as a dangerous place for women.

The formula for the attacks on female protesters in the square, they say, has become familiar and vicious: Men will surround a woman, separating her from her companions, grope her, sometimes ripping off her clothes, and sexually assault her.

Recenlty, various grassroots groups have sprung up to raise awareness and protect women in the square. Learn more here.

The graffiti in Tahrir Square tells a different story.

With this week’s presidential election representing the end of the transition from a military to civilian government, many Egyptians will be watching not only the results but for a clean process as well.

Here, an Egyptian woman dips her finger in ink after voting in Cairo. Thirteen candidates are running in the first round of voting on Wednesday and Thursday.

“For the presidency, people are taking pride in the fact that they’re choosing a leader for the nation. And a lot of people have said that ‘this isn’t about me, this is about the entire country and how we’re perceived abroad,’” said Erin Cunningham of the GlobalPost.

(Photo by Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images)

An Egyptian protester paints graffiti reading, “Down with the military rule,” on Friday, as tens of thousands rallied in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.

(Photo by Khaled Desouki/AFP/Getty Images.)

An Egyptian woman mourns over the coffins of some of the 24 Coptic Christians killed during overnight clashes. (Photo by Mahmud Hams/AFP/Getty Images.)

(During a recent reporting trip to Egypt, Margaret Warner reported on simmering unrest in post-revolution Egypt.)

Street art has gained new meaning and is thriving in post-revolutionary Egypt. 

(PHOTO/Ghada Mashamoun/PBS NewsHour: A painting says “save Egypt and it will be a better place than before.”)