REPRESSION THEN AND NOW

An exploration of how Egyptian governments have tried to repress the memory of a woman ahead of

her time

By Tarek Zaki

“Nothing really worthwhile can be accomplished without suffering.”

Doria Shafik 1908-1975, Egyptian feminist, poet, editor, philosopher and my great-grandmother.

“A nation cannot be liberated whether internally or externally while its women are enchained.”

“When they smiled at me the whole universe was within my arms welcoming me, consoling me and conveying an inner quietude to my

tormented soul.”

My great-grandmother with my grandmother (left) and my great-aunt (right)

“The essential equality between men and women is the logical consequence of the fact that both of them are human beings, unequivocally ‘equal’ be

the very essence of their own nature: human nature.”Doria Shafik announcing the founding of the Bint al-Nil Union (Daughter of the Nile), a woman’s organization that would campaign for women’s rights in Egypt, January 1948.

“I decided to fight to the last drop of my blood to break the chains shackling the women of my country in the invisible prison in which they continued to

live; a prison, which being invisible, was all the more oppresive.”

Doria Shafik, with members of the executive council of the Bint al-Nil Union during a planning session for the march on parliament demanding rights for women, February 1951.

“Feminism in the true sense of the word is the total comprehension between man and woman, not a perpetual fight between the two sexes.”

Doria Shafik with Egyptian Chief Army Commander General Naguib on August 1952.

A cartoon illustrating the political rights of women in Egypt (left) and those in the UN following the inclusion of political rights for women (right)

published in the 97th edition of Bint al-Nil magazine, November 1953.

Doria Shafik with Camille Chamoun, president of the Lebanese Republic, during her visit to Beirut where she

gave a lecture titled “Women and the Arab Cause,” February 1954.

The tour guide points at the “incomplete pyramid of women’s rights.” This followed the assignment of some women as tour guides. Published in the 101st edition of Bint al-Nil magazine, March 1954.

“The way is made of sweat and blood, of battles and tears. A way of thorns and love. In pursuit of the Absolute, one may finally find it.”

Doria Shafik during her hunger strike on March 1954 in opposition of the drafting of a constitution without the inclusion of women.

“There is never a special time for demanding women’s freedom. Our freedom goes hand in hand with the freedom of the country. There can be no free Egypt with enslaved women.”

Doria Shafik ending her eight-day hunger strike.

Doria Shafik with Prime Minister Nehru of India, following an hour-long interview about women’s rights in Calcutta,

December 1954.

Doria Shafik delivering a lecture titled “Modern Women of Egypt” in Pakistan, January 1955.

Doria Shafik discussing women’s rights with Fatima Ali Jinnah, sister of the founder of Pakistan, January 1955.

The woman demands equal work for equal pay. Published in the 109th edition of Bint al-Nil magazine,

September 1954.

The bull of oppression attempting to break the wall of women’s rights. Published in the 118th edition of Bint al-

Nil magazine, August 1955.

“Fight for women’s rights.” No rope is strong enough to hold women back from demanding their rights. Published

in the 119th edition of Bint al-Nil magazine, September 1955.

Egyptian men and women carrying flags with Doria Shafik and Hudda Sha’rawi’s images on first anniversary of the

Revolution that took place on January 25th, 2011.

My grandmother holding a flag with her mother’s image, marching against the Muslim Brotherhood’s decision to remove Doria Shafik

from history books taught at school, January 25th, 2013.

My mother waving her grandmother’s image while marching in protest of the Muslim Brotherhood’s decision to remove Doria

Shafik from history books taught at school, January 25ht, 2013.

“To know, to be able, to want and to dare.”

“I have seen you fall from thousands of balconies,wiped out of books and poemsforbidden from all mouthsbanned from each wordthinned, wounded captivedissolved in celestial spheresalive in the waters of the Nile.”

Gonzalo Villar, Chilean poet.

“In the heart of the typhoon, the eye of destiny lay in wait for her, but was not able

to deny her the final victory, that of the written word.”-Pierre Seghers, French editor

and poet.

In loving memory of my great-grandmother, whose courage, unbreakable will and passion have inspired me to stand by what I believe in. Her life

was truly a “work of art.”