ASMAA FATHI

Cairo- The patriarchal mindset keeps affecting society in Egypt, controlling women and girls in the name of tradition and customs. Egyptian women's movements struggle to raise awareness and change this mindset; however, the change can be achieved with a common struggle of women.

In the rural areas of Egypt, the patriarchal mindset is stronger; girls are not sent to school or they have to drop out of school so that they can work in agriculture to support their families. Consequently, the literacy rate is also very low in rural areas. Deprived of education, girls work to earn money for their families and then they are forced into child marriage.

‘Education is very important for girls’

Hoda Rajab had to drop out of school to support her family and take care of her five siblings. “I wish I could go to school,” said Hosa Rajab, who wants to be able to read and write. Girls do not want to drop out of school but they are forced by their families, she emphasized.

“I cried a lot and I still feel very sad not to be able to read and write. I went to school just for a year but I learn faster than my brothers do. My parents sent only my brothers to school but did not allow me and my sisters to complete our education. Education is very important for girls. Unfortunately, parents in our society think that if they send their daughters to school, they will waste their money. But I do not believe this.”

‘They force their daughters into marriage instead of spending money on their education’

Mirna Alaa, an Arabic literature graduate from a university in Egypt’s Al Sharqia governorate, thinks that poverty is the primary factor associated with dropping out among girls. “Parents force their daughters into marriage instead of spending money on their education. More awareness-raising activities must be carried out for families to be aware of how education is important for girls and society.”

‘Education changes the reality of girls and women for the better’

Mirna Alaa is a young woman living in a rural area of Egypt. “The successes achieved by women in education, in the labor force and their families can change the reality of girls and women for the better. However, girls and women are also afraid to go out and learn, and they devote their whole life to their families and their marriage. Poverty plays an important role in preventing women and girls from education. Parents do not want to spend money for their daughters. I have many friends, who had to drop out of school. Women should encourage girls and women to go to school.”