ASMAA FATHI

Cairo - Gender stereotypes and discrimination policies affect all women and girls, particularly in the Middle East. The gender discrimination led by the patriarchal mentality is further deepened by the state systems. We visited Qena Governorate of Egypt to reveal the effects of the gender discrimination on women and girls.

“Opportunities that were not given to my brother were not given to us”

We met Mona Abdel Alim, who has two sisters and a brother. “My mother gave birth to a boy after three daughters. I am the eldest child of my family. My father loved my brother and the opportunities that were not given to my brother were not given to us. We were not sent to school while my brother was sent. I was subjected to violence by my brother; however, my parents kept silent. I was not allowed to marry the man I loved because my brother did not like him. My parents forced me into a marriage with another man. I hated my brother and wished I were a boy. I was also deprived of my right to inherit. Why do women exist? Do we exist to meet the needs of men? My husband is no different from my father and brother. All of them make efforts to prevent me from realizing my dreams.”

“Girls are deprived of their right to education”

Engineer Abeer Abdel Rahman lives in the Qena Governorate of Egypt. She works at the Technological Development Center, Education Directorate. “Women and girls living in Egypt, particularly in rural areas, face gender discrimination. Girls living in villages are not allowed to go to school and women are not allowed to work. Girls are deprived of their rights; girls and women are deprived of their right to education and inheritance. Women’s participation in decision-making positions gives them the opportunity to express their opinion.”

She follows her dreams

By chance, we met Iman Rajab in a library. She spoke to us on challenges faced by her. “My family did not allow me to go to school and forced me into a marriage when I was very young. I married and gave birth to two children. I work for a bookstore now. My husband always inflicted violence against me. One day, I met a 55-year-old woman at work. We began to talk about education. Her words impressed me and I wanted to see her every day. One day, I returned home from work and my husband battered me again. On that day, I asked myself why I still stayed in that house. I found now reason, except my children, to stay in that house. I asked for a divorce and began to work in the library. I read many books to educate myself. I developed a project and now work on it. Now, I do what I love. In future, my children will be proud of what I have achieved.”