By Lubna Abdel-Aziz Sigmund Freud once asked: "what does a woman want"? It is surprising that such a genius, with his vast knowledge of the human mind, did not figure out the answer. Perhaps because of its apparent clarity, proximity and transparency, the answer eluded him, despite his 30 years of research into the feminine soul. Women simply want what men want -- freedom -- unmitigated, unadulterated, unqualified freedom. Why, in this day and age, should women become doleful creatures, demanding pity of an enlightened society. Throughout history female freedom has been cyclical, arbitrary and mercurial. Once sovereign and mighty, female dominance ended with the onset of the patriarchal society during the Christian era,. Most ancient civilisations were impartial and objective towards the female population. Some cultures revered the superiority of the female of the species, if the number of goddesses is any measure. A new era of Islamic dominance is at our doorstep. Will it mark the beginning of the end of woman's emancipation in Egypt? Will all her efforts and gains during the last century evaporate into thin air? Chained and tied, covered and denied, with head bowed and spirit crushed, she is required to be an effective citizen, a capable partner and a nurturing mother. Fear and dread fill the hearts of all women, and all freedom lovers everywhere. It will be the hardest task to give up freedom, once we have known it. What irony lies in the fact that the ancient Egyptian woman enjoyed a special status of high esteem! When others could not, the ancient Egyptian woman could own and inherit property, labour side by side with her man outside the home, and was elevated to the reins of power as priestess, goddess and queen. Queen Hatchepsut ruled for 20 years; others were Queen Merit Nept, Queen Hoteb, Queen Nefertari, and who can overlook the perfection of Nefertiti and the charm of Cleopatra, and there were 7 of them too. With the arrival of Islam in Egypt, women continued to enjoy rights and duties, although the male mind preferred dominance over partnership. Throughout the ages there have been those complex and darkly fascinating theories about male superiority, and Eve's inferiority. Yet she proved her equality, and set all mankind by the ears. Unlike most interpretations, Islam reveres women and affords her several privileges. We recall prominent Muslim women such as "Sit al Mulk", sister of "al Hakim bi Amr Illah" and "Shagaret al Durr", who was instrumental in establishing the Mameluke Dynasty in Egypt. Mohamed Ali, father of modern Egypt, paid special attention to women, improved their social status, and established schools for girls, notably, "The School of Midwifery". in 1822 The most authentic school for girls, "Al Sania", opened its doors to all women in 1889. Ten years later, Qassem Amin published his book:"The Emancipation of Women", and in 1900: "The New Woman". Amin was a true believer in woman's equality, and was tireless in his call for female participation in order to build a better society. In 1908 Fatma Rashed issued the first magazine for women, and during Egypt's 1919 revolution, women held their first demonstration against British rule, and saw the first female casualty, "Hamida Khalil", who died March 16, during the protest. Such efforts were undergone simultaneously with European and American activities for woman's emancipation. The women of Egypt have always been fierce nationalists as evidenced during the January 25,2010 revolution. Mankind must believe in the ability of women every hour of every day, and the ablest and most admired woman of the era was Hoda Sha'rawi. Refusing to submit to antiquated creeds and dogmas, Sha'rawi was elected president of the" Central Wafd Committee for Women", in 1920. Eight years later, the Egyptian Feminist Union was established, and the first Egyptian delegation headed by Sha'rawi participated in the first International Feminist Conference held in Rome in 1928. On her return, Hoda Sha'rawi, in a gesture of courage and defiance, removed her veil. The movement continued to see growth with the increasing percentage of higher education for women. Many men supported the movement, but many did not. The strong dramatic penchant for male dominance never quite disappeared. The interpretation of human behavior is tinged with the hue of a secret ideal of a male patriarch, and in each home this was relayed with little reluctance. But women have learned to overcome, and they did. Feminist political parties and unions were launched by the likes of Fatma Rashed and Durria Shafiq, calling for the amendment of laws in favour of women's rights. By 1956, following the 1952 July revolution, women won the right to vote and to run for office, according to Egypt's new constitution. The road has been long and arduous, and finally women stood side by side, perhaps outnumbering the male, in Tahrir Square and in the long voting lines at the ballot box. Half a century of total freedom, will not be sacrificed for the obscure motives of a minority. Women of Egypt have played many roles, besides wives and mothers, as have other women everywhere. Unlike men, women are multi-taskers and have combined several roles simultaneously. It took us centuries to break the shackles of serfdom and to achieve recognition and equality. We reject pity and contempt; we will no longer return to the state of an animal beaten and trodden underfoot. How long will the Lady Eve continue to pay for her original enticement of Adam, and who is really to be blamed, the giver or the taker? Women can do everything; men can do the rest! -- Russian proverb
