The United Nations is condemning the beatings of peaceful women protesters by Egyptian soldiers during marches this week against military rule.

The U.N.'s director for gender equality, Michelle Bachelet, Thursday called on Egyptian political and military authorities to guarantee civil rights for women and hold accountable those who violate those rights.

Bachelet says women have been one of the primary engines that drive respect for human rights and public participation in decision-making.

Video emerging from Egypt shows troops brutally beating unarmed women marchers with sticks, even after they had already fallen to the ground. Some of the soldiers were seen kicking women in the head and pulling off their clothes .

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton calls the attacks shocking and says they dishonor the Egyptian revolution that drove Hosni Mubarak from power.

Egyptian military officials have said they regret the attacks on women and will punish those responsible.

Thousands of Egyptians have been demanding an end to military rule, accusing the army of manipulating the transition to civilian rule in order to hold on to power.