Feminist Movement and Recommendations on Women’s Liberation According to Nawal El-Saadawi

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The Feminist Movement

The feminist movements help to champion reforms on various issues such as sexual harassment, equal pay, domestic violence, maternity leave, sexual violence, domestic abuse, and women’s suffrage. The movement has helped to introduce changes worldwide and enabled women to fight for their rightful positions. In Egypt, the feminist movement was started by Nawal El-Saadawi, and her article “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge” has historical importance as it addresses the plight of women in the community.

About The Author

El-Saadawi was born in rural Egypt in 1931, and she is an Egyptian national and writer, a physician by education. El-Saadawi dedicated the better part of her life to championing gender equality. El-Saadawi pointed out the connection of Arab women’s sexual oppression to their social and political plights.¹ She confidently pursues women’s rights and aims to change the societal perception of women and the Arab woman status. El-Saadawi has produced various novels, scholarly articles, studies, and journals that focus on the exploitation of Arab women and social change adjustments.² Her work focuses on Arabian customary rules and regulations imposed on women in Egypt, which heavily relies on tradition, religion, as well as the regime.

In 1981, El-Saadawi’s articles and books angered both the Egyptian religious and political authorities.³ The governing bodies proceeded to ban her works officially and viewed her as a threat to the national social order. She was later arrested the same year because of pressure from powerful Egyptian circles. El-Saadawi’s writings are highly valued, especially by historical groups centered on social justice and gender equality.⁴ Furthermore, her writings still have a tremendous impact on the Arab young generation because of her argument that social processes are triggered and championed by those who view injustice and are positioned to be agents of change.

Historical Context of the Feminist Movement

The history of the liberation movement for women in the Arab world originated in Egypt. Despite the fact that women humanitarian organizations began in Egypt between the periods 1908-1919, the first effective women political campaign was established under the nationalist movement guidance.⁵ The movements occurred at the height of Egypt national uprising against the British colonialists.⁶ At the time, Huda al-Shaarawi, Egypt radical feminist and women gender activist, was selected to chair the movement committee. El-Shaarawi came from an upper-class family, and shortly after the demise of her husband in 1923, she founded the Egyptian Feminist Union. In a successive period, she led a delegation of Egyptian women to a conference of the International Union of Women in Rome, Italy.⁷ Upon returning from Rome, she went against the Arab norms and traditions by removing her veil in public. Additionally, in the same year, Egyptian law fixed minimum marital ages for both men and women.

In the year 1985, the Arab Women Solidarity Association became registered as an independent non-governmental organization in Egypt. It was possible because Shaarawi succeeded in overcoming the opposition of the Egyptian regime. After the historic victory, she credited the win to the Egyptian intellectuals and writers. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) recognized the association as an advisory arm of a non-government organization. The roles of the Arab Women Solidarity Association are not confined to feminist and radical platforms alone, but it focuses on developing strong political formation and influence. By the 1970s, El-Saadawi became a robust and aggressive figure in the women’s activism organization. El-Saadawi expressed her views through writing and actions by condemning women’s exploitation and advocating for social change.

The Image of the Woman and Recommendations on Women’s Liberation According To Nawal El-Saadawi

The Feminist Movement portrays two kinds of women which include the middle and the lower class. Middle-class Arab women can afford independence and live a better life. The lower-class comprises Arab women who are not independent and are unable to cater to their needs. Such women are exploited and mistreated by influential people in society.⁸ El-Saadawi suggested that the women liberation can be achieved through education. El-Saadawi suggested that women’s liberation can be achieved through education. El-Saadawi believed that formal education will open up Arab women’s minds and enable them to access job opportunities which will improve their social status.⁹ Formal education provides women with knowledge, skills, and the ability to be respected people in the community.

El-Saadawi argues that an educated woman is strong and is able to stand her position when people try to oppress her. El-Saadawi admits that liberation has a huge cost, but the burden of slavery and oppression carries a heavier price.¹⁰ Women are encouraged to pay a heavy price for freedom than to end up in slavery. Moreover, El-Saadawi encourages women to unite and become one voice if they want to do great exploits.¹¹ Maximum effectiveness calls for collective cooperation and supportive groups. El-Saadawi advised the women to have an open mind and join forces with liberal men in the society which believes in women’s rights.

The Importance of the Feminist Movement Case

The Feminist Movement article contributes to the current changes within Arabic society where women are taking active roles in politics. For instance, El-Saadawi captures the future elements of society through critical analysis and reflection on women’s issues.¹² The case highlights the connection between politics, religion, and sexual exploitation. El-Saadawi vividly introduces gender issues, social inferiority, horrific and inhumane female genital mutilation procedures, rape, and selective social and economic justice towards Arab women.¹³ The case explains women active involvement in the political, social, economic, legal and cultural aspects of life in the Arab Peninsula. Therefore, the article highlights the need for the exercise of democracy and women’s involvement in social issues.

El-Saadawi advocates for the elimination of discrimination within the family setting and at the national level. Cases of selective justice against women are rampant, and they are easily manipulated both in the private and public sector due to their gender.¹⁴ Fight against such issues helps bring some changes and encourages institutions to implement policies protecting women. Furthermore, the case serves to address enlightened mind efforts and is guided by a scientific approach in solving the needs of women in the Arab environment.¹⁵ In understanding the societal needs of women in the contemporary Arab region, El-Saadawi promotes and inspires overall development of women.¹⁶ The distinctive character of women enables them to criticize ideas and values which undermine their determined struggle for freedom.

Moreover, the case presented in the article combines elements of practical and intellectual endeavors to improve working conditions and quality of life of Arab women.¹⁷ Further, it empowers them to take continuous and substantive steps to help other women in the poor localities both in rural and urban areas.¹⁸ El-Saadawi is the voice of women towards active participation in initiatives increasing women representation in political, economic, social, and cultural sectors. Such moves are important because they help women comprehend the relationship between societal problems and their individual issues. With such a mindset woman will achieve significant results in finding solutions to some of their problems.

Conclusion

El-Saadawi lived in a world that she viewed as strange which prevented her from enjoying peace. She experienced the feeling of unrest and strangeness about the imposed gender lowliness and social discrimination. El-Saadawi did not feel satisfied at home, school, in the street, even within the family or university because inequality was another name of all such places. To overcome the vice, El-Saadawi proposes love, justice, and equality for all. Therefore, when the world will know and practice love, equality, and justice, women will discover their true selves. Empowered women are barrier-breakers as they take actions that are beyond their limits. Hence, through education El-Saadawi breaks the conventional and historical barriers to pave way for ordinary women to rise up and fight for their rightful position.

Bibliography

Nawal, El-Saadawi, Nawal. “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” In Women of the Arab World, edited by Nahid Toubia, 1–7. London: Zed, 1988.

Footnotes

Nawal El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” in Women of the Arab world, ed. Nahid Toubia (London: Zed, 1988), 1-7.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 228.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 228.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 229.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 228.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 229.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 229.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 229.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 230.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 234.
El- Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 230.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 228.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 229.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 230.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 230.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 233.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 234.
El-Saadawi, “The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association: The Coming Challenge,” 232.

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