Via Clepsydrée @ Flickr.
I am not worthy of calling Nawal El Saadawi an “Honorary Harpy” but I will categorize this post as such anyway. Nawal El Saadawi is renowned Egyptian human rights activist, feminist, medical doctor and former political prisoner who has written extensively on Arab women’s issues. She is one of the most widely translated contemporary Egyptian writers, and her 27 books concentrate primarily on Arab women’s sexuality and legal status.
Dr. El Saadawi spoke with Amy Goodman for Democracy Now! on Monday, where she discussed the role of women and girls in the ongoing protests in Egypt. Have a listen (or read) here!
She is a serious badass. I was first introduced to her in an undergrad “Women Writers”survey course (thanks, Professor S!), and would strongly recommend her work, esp “Memoirs from the Women’s Prison.”
I stumbled on her book, Memoirs of a Woman Doctor, when I was in college. Her descriptions of the planned sexual ignorance girls grew up with have stuck with me to this day. I think I read most of the book sitting in the library stacks.
She is awesome.
How could she have escaped my notice for so long??? What an amazing, inspiring woman! I have to go try to find some of her books now…