For International Women's Day, I wrote the following article, which was published by on the Institute for War and Peace Reporting. I am also uploading a few photos [below] of women in the revolution - with my love, respect, and gratitude.
It’s the height of the Egyptian revolution, and two women sitting in a tent on Tahrir Square laugh as I approach them with my notebook.
“Sorry, we’d rather not be interviewed,” one says to me. “Our husbands don’t know we’re here.”
That didn’t stop them being part of the events that would reshape their country. Nor did it stop thousands of other women from all sections of Egyptian society.
The Egyptian revolution was liberating and groundbreaking in many ways.
It saw a nation free itself from the shackles of dictatorship and brave the might of armed police, soldiers, and thugs in a true revolution involving all people, for it transcended boundaries of social class, age, religion, and most importantly, gender...
Read the rest of the article on the IWPR website, and come back for comments!
Khadija, 19, was helping guard the gate by AbdelMoneim Riyad square. (she's one of my interviewees here)
On their forehead: "Masreya" - "Egyptian"
Women of all ages were there. Wednesday 2 February, aka the day of the Camels, one of the most violent days we had on the square.
This isn't sadness or anger - it's disappointment. 2 February, after the first wave of thug attacks.
Women's protest. 1 February 2011
Doctors signing each other's coats, 11 February 2011
Niqabi woman's placard: "Egypt is for all, Muslims and Christians". 31 January
No translation necessary! 31 January 2011
Girls posing on a tank - 12 February 2011.
4 comments:
Reading the intensely proud ownership for their role as Egyptians at Tahrir prior to the fall of Mubarak has me wanting to hear again from Ragia, Fatma and Khadija after the chaos, protests and injustice that occurred March 8th. There is so much power and intelligence in their voices. May they always be heard and treasured for the Egypt they are creating and nurturing into existence.
I had written the article before the events on the 8th, actually. But i can tell you that, well, it wasn't a happy day.. there's a lot of disappointment, as you may expect. We weren't expecting attitudes to change overnight, but didn't foresee such a vile reaction from the mob.
And yes, they are wonderful women. :)
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