The position of the feminist movement on political developments in Egypt

1919-1936 AD

Abstract

The period between 1919 and 1936 was a turning point in the history of the Egyptian feminist movement, as the struggle for national independence coincided with the emergence of feminist awareness and the crystallization of demands related to women's political and social rights. Egyptian women have emerged from their traditional roles into the realm of political and social action, beginning with their active participation in the 1919 Revolution, continuing with their contributions to the establishment of women's organizations and social institutions, and ending with their role in constitutional debates and the struggle to achieve political rights, most notably the right to vote and parliamentary representation.

In light of the turbulent political transformations that Egypt experienced at the time, including the issuance of the 1923 Constitution, the emergence of political parties, and the emergence of differences among nationalist forces, the feminist movement faced multiple challenges, most notably marginalization by some nationalist forces and internal divisions between elite feminist movements and others with a more popular character.

This research aims to examine the nature of the Egyptian feminist movement's interaction with these developments, clarify the positions of its leaders on major political issues, and analyze the extent to which this period influenced the formation of feminist awareness in contemporary Egypt.