Egyptian Women's Movement - Short Summary

Early feminists wrote poems about their outrage of the unfairity, with few taking action. Those that did, however, began to inspire a nation of women. As to seeing rights being conducted upon Egyptian women, the women in other countries of the Middle East began to take action. These women vying for voting rights, education, as did the Egyptians.

Nabawiya Musa was the first Egyptian girl to graduate from high school. It opened doors for other middle-class Egyptian women. With their new found knowledge, they began to make feminine demands. Public protests were held, and some women were shot fighting for their rights.

During the time of the intensified nationalist militancy to end British occupation, men had welcomed the participation of women in the nationalist movement. The Wafdist Women's Central Committee helped widen the base of support throughout and rendered vital services. But after the quasi-independence in 1922, Egyptian men and women were declared equal by the constitution. Though, only men could vote. Women protested this.

All-women journals and all-women groups were created. A daycare for working mothers and schools with equal curriculum of the boy's school were created. Eventually, women were admitted to the University of Egypt. Women were beginning to be able to live independently with her child, without the support of a man. The achievements of these women were great.

What these Egyptian women fought for has inspired women all over the Middle East to keep fighting for their rights. Now, women have a more equal opportunity to men. Women in Egypt have the right to run in office and to receive an education. In many places, laws of marriages, divorce, child custody and alimony have been reformed. Though women in the Middle East are still struggling for their equal rights, they are all ready half way there due the feminists in Egypt.

Bibliography:

Baron, Beth. The Women's Awakening in Egypt. Yale University Press. 1994.

Mernissi, Fatima. Beyond the Veil. Indiana University Press. 1987.

Badran, Margot. Egyptian Feminism in a nationalist century. http://www.mediterranaes.org/. January 2, 2005.

Mason, Beverly J., Race, Gender & Class. New Orleans: April 30, 2002. Vol. 9, Iss.2;