By Seheir Kansouh-Habib Writing about women proved to be much more difficult than we imagined. Because so much has been written about women, we needed to be creative and chart new waters. We wished, therefore, to give the greater share of space to younger women who inspire a young generation that longs for role models. On the other hand, courtesy and admiration demands we recognise and celebrate the contributions of veteran women public figures, and we are honoured to do so. The women chronicled in this issue of Beyond have been selected among business entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs and political entrepreneurs. From the three categories we can only offer samples. All are part of a vital generation of independent, creative and energetic leaders who individually and together prove turning dreams into reality is within the reach of all those who have the tenacity to pursue their ambitions with grit and determination, defying challenges and stereotyping. Our business entrepreneurs are all energetic, knowledgeable professionals, and doers. They know how to mix art with business, vision with pragmatism, life at work with a personal life. Above all, they have focus, so they excel and succeed. All prove that profit, giving and enjoyment can be one. It has been said that human progress has always been led by visionary individuals who seek a better future and dedicate their lives to realising that promise. Besides business entrepreneurs, there are also social entrepreneurs, who endeavour to spark social change by using their knowledge, skills and time to serve the needy, with generosity, care and tenacity, fighting bureaucracy and overcoming all obstacles. There are also political entrepreneurs who defiantly transgress the jealously guarded domain so often dominated by men. Egypt needs more of such women. While women account for around half of Egypt's population of 75 million, the majority, unfortunately, have not been granted the privilege of education and life quality that formed the Egyptian women we present in Beyond today. Rather, they are the helpless and voiceless, suppressed by traditions and shackled by new norms imposed by pressure groups alien to Egypt's social fabric. There are, luckily, increasingly louder voices calling for removing all forms of discrimination against women. There are voices calling for decent representation of women in parliament and for the right to take part in the making of decisions that shape their lives. Beyond endorses all these voices. This issue is dedicated to women on International Women's Day. We wished to pay thanks to the friends of the women of Egypt; their support could not be overlooked. If given more space, we'd pay tribute to all. We cannot. This issue, therefore, is but an illustration of what is being done towards a more gender balanced society in Egypt, and as such but a glimpse of what Egypt's modern women can do when not constrained by bonds and myths of hopelessness and dependency. Our message is to tell those fighting for the cause of women not to be deterred by bigotry and resistance to change. Our message is also to tell the leaders of women machineries that, whatever achievements they are proud to have accomplished, we expect more of them, and encourage them, because more is needed if we are not to witness our young generations flee the country and cry for it from afar, like some do, because midway towards freedom it was so unkind to them.
