A rally held by women in Cairo's Tahrir Square has been assaulted by a mob of men.

The female demonstrators at Friday's rally were calling for an end to sexual harassment when the attackers, overwhelming the male guardians, groped and molested several marchers in the Egyptian capital.

The demonstration saw around 50 women, surrounded by a larger group of male supporters who joined to hands to form a protective ring around them, calling for an end to the harassment that has become all too commonplace on the streets of Cairo.  

Protesters carried posters saying, "The people want to cut the hand of the sexual harasser", while chants of, "The Egyptian girl says it loudly, harassment is barbaric", echoed.

After the marchers entered a crowded corner of the iconic square, a group of men waded into the women, heckling them and groping them.