ASMAA FATHI

Cairo- In Upper Egypt, women have been fighting the patriarchal mindset for years. Martina Hamed, member of the Sanad, a feminist initiative offering legal support to victims of violence in Egypt, is one of the women fighting the patriarchal mindset. Living in the city of Mallawi, located in Egypt’s Minya governorate, Martina Hamed has been making efforts to change the reality of women in Upper Egypt for 15 years because “Women are oppressed due to customs and traditions.

‘The presence of women in private and public spaces is accepted’

Indicating that the reality of women in Upper Egypt is a complex issue, she said, “Before women were not allowed to go to cafés because men went to cafés. Women were not allowed to interact with men. We can say that this situation has changed. The presence of women in private and public spaces is accepted more compared to previous years.”

‘Women play an important role in social change’

Martina Hamed thinks that women participate in social life more thanks to the great efforts and activities of feminist organizations and initiatives. “Women’s organizations have launched awareness-raising campaigns against the female genital mutilation, child marriage and violence against women. I can say that women play an important role in social change in Upper Egypt.”

‘I have been working to change the reality of women since my childhood’

Since her childhood, Martina Hamed has been working to change the reality of women in Upper Egypt. “Women were deprived of their rights. They were not allowed to be engaged in cultural and educational activities. I faced many obstacles because I wanted to change this reality. I was a strong and excited girl wanting to change this reality. I first began to change my reality and I have become an independent woman, who can work, travel and make decisions about her life. Now, I work so that women can have a free life.”

‘Women voice their demands now’

According to Martina Hamed, many things have changed for women and girls in Upper Egypt, “However, we still have a long way to go. Women need more innovative and effective tools to fight the patriarchal mindset. Now, women are more aware of their rights. They voice their demands more.”

Martina Hamed called on parents to “support your daughters so that your daughters can be successful.”