WUNRN
EGYPT - FEMINIST'S LIFE IS SYMBOL
FOR WOMEN TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS
Anushay Hossain, Contributor
English:
Hoda Shaarawi (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
June 27, 2013 - Power normally is not a word associated with women in
Muslim societies. Despite the complex and varied identities of women in
countries that are predominantly Muslim, we all remain prisoners of a
blanketing stereotype that insists on labeling us as passive, voiceless beings,
victim to our men, our religion, or both.
Recently, I was talking to a friend about how ridiculous it is to be
asked, as I often am, to speak for women across the Muslim world just because I
happen to be a Muslim woman. Our conversation soon turned to the iconic
Egyptian feminist, Huda Shaarawi, who
is credited with sparking the Egyptian feminist movement in 1923 when she
famously removed her veil at a
But Huda Shaarawi’s work for women’s rights went far beyond removing her
veil. Born into a wealthy family, she detailed her childhood and early marriage
growing up inside a harem in her book, Harem Years: The Memoirs of an
Egyptian Feminist in 1987. The secluded life of
women and girls in
I became depressed and began to neglect my studies, hating being a girl
because it kept me from the education I sought. Later, being a female became a
barrier between me and the freedom for which I yearned.
At age 13, Huda was married off to her cousin who surprisingly ended up
being one of her strongest allies. Their marriage was “mutually beneficial,”
allowing Huda to complete her education, and become a key advisor to her
politician husband who actively supported her career.
In 1908, Huda created the first Egyptian Philanthropic
Society for Egyptian women, and soon after established a school for girls. Her
passion and activism for women’s rights grew alongside her political fervor,
and she was strongly involved in
A decade later in 1919, Huda organized one
of the largest anti-British demonstrations, bringing out Egyptian women to the
streets to protest British presence in
This conversation with my friend made me think about the long history women
in Muslim countries have not only in fighting for their rights, but also
in establishing them.
This history is rarely recognized, and often dismissed when Muslim women are
lumped together, labeled as veiled passive beings.
The recent Arab Spring in
the region temporarily shattered stereotypes of political and social apathy
as women from
Iran to Saudi Arabia to Egypt stood on the front-lines of their country’s
political protests, shaping their nation’s revolutions, reminding the world
that without women’s rights, no country can become a real democracy.
But as Huda Shaarawi’s life clearly demonstrates, women in the Muslim
world have been fighting for their rights long before the Arab Spring, and this
struggle is far from over.
In fact, if you think about it, women all around the world are still
fighting for their rights, still pushing for equality because nowhere have we
actually achieved it, not even in America where the fight for abortion rights,
equal pay, paid maternity leave, and equal rights for women continue. If you
needed reminding of that fact, look up Texas Senator, Wendy Davis’
filibuster fight this
week.
What can we learn from pioneering feminist Huda Shaarawi’s life? While
sadly women and girls around the world are still trying to attain many of the
rights that Huda fought for in her lifetime, what I find inspiring is that
there has always been
a resistance, even when societies kept women trapped inside harem walls. Women
still managed to get out, organize and educate themselves, creating spaces for
themselves in public spheres.
Today, forces still exist that aim to curtail women’s health and women’s rights, while limiting our movement and visibility. But women, in the Muslim world and beyond, are not giving up their rights to anybody. Not without a hard-earned fight that would do pioneering feminist, Huda Shaarawi proud.
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Via Karama
Breaking Message
from The Egyptian Feminist Union - See above - Huda Shaarawi founded the Egyptian Feminist Union.
EGYPTIAN WOMEN ARE MAKING
HISTORY
Organizing a March to Cairo Tahrir Square
on Wednesday, 3 July at 5 pm
A decisive hour and a decisive day in the history of Egypt
The Egyptian Feminist Union is
proud of Egyptian women who proved since the revolution and during the marches
and demonstrations that started 28 June and are still continuing that they are
a driving force of their families and communities in rallying for a democratic
transition characterized by equality and freedoms for all citizens.
The Egyptian Women Charter “Egyptian Women Partners in the Revolution
and Partners in building Democratic Egypt,” which the
Feminist Union had issued after 2011 revolution and which was signed by
millions of Egyptian women and men, was and still is the guide of many women
and civil society organizations in securing an equal role of women in public
life.
During the past few days, and until this moment Egyptian women from all walks
of life are organizing and participating in all marches of Egypt, and they are
spending nights in the squares to make sure that their revolution is not going
to be hijacked for a second time. They are not terrified by the organized
political violence planned and executed to threaten them. They voiced their
contempt and refusal of all forms of physical abuse, group rape and kidnapping
of young women from squares and streets which they are exposed to. Young men
and women active in social movements made themselves available in Tahrir Square
and elsewhere to rescue women victims of the different physical violence they
are exposed to. Egyptian women have declared it loudly that nothing is going to
deter them from being equal partners to men in demanding a true democracy for
Egypt.
The Feminist Union is proud of its members in the different governorates who
participated and still participate in all marches and demonstrations and are
not deterred by the threats of the reactionary political groups who use Islam
in mortifying women. They are also not terrified by the physical and sexual
abuse exercised against them.
The Feminist Union is in full support and cooperation with Tamarud, the
brilliant popular social movement initiated by the youth of Egypt who proved to
the whole world their ability to echo the true demands of the majority of
Egyptians and to give them a voice that is hard to be denied by the present
dictatorship.
The Egyptian Feminist Union salutes the Armed Forces that proved to be with the
people, ready and able to protect them and to defend their legitimate rights
everywhere. Their affirmation that they will not seek political power is
greatly appreciated.
Egyptian women are making revolutions, are making history and their role will
be engraved in human history.
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