The Egyptian Women and Higher Eduacation (1908-1952). Women's Struggle from Academic Deprivation to Community Leadership

Master's Thesis , 2014 , 256 Pages

Gender Studies

The Egyptian woman has played an important role, politically, socially, scientifically and culturally, since the ancient Egyptian state. On the political aspect, she was appointed as a queen, socially, she considered as the other half of the society, on the scientific aspect, there were female scientists who got the appreciate of the world and on the cultural side, the woman kept in pace with the man in all intellectual activities.

The history had witnessed a period of religious fanaticism which was transferred by the society to what was called as "Al Harem Era" which had the greatest effect on retarding the woman's role in all fields of life.
However, through the cultural and civilizational communication that resulted from the Egyptian relations with the west countries through the French occupation in 1798 and the educational missions during Mohammed Ali's era, the callings began gradually for bringing the woman back to her natural status through calling for her education, her freedom and her equality to the man.

Mohammed Ali was the first one who entered the Egyptian woman into the education, even that the most successful experiences were in Ismail's era. Then, these callings increased, the books were issued and the feminist newspapers were established, and accordingly, the girls joined to the schools and their numbers had greatly increased.

As a result, new generation of the educated women appeared who dedicated themselves to call for equality and getting their full rights. Those women also called for joining the woman to the university and established the feminist department at the university to get the woman a new type of the education which opens all closed doors before her.

The study period is considered as one of the most important periods in the history of the Egyptian woman, since the beginning of her joining to the university education until the end of the royal family era during which the woman got her full educational and scientific rights.

This study has depended on the historical gradualism for the events; it began from the oldest to the modernist with explaining all events surrounding the events which affected in supporting or hampering the experiment of the higher education for the Egyptian woman. This study was divided into a preliminary chapter, four chapters and conclusion.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• The preliminary chapter: The woman status and her Education pre-1908
  • Al-Harem era and the beginning of unveiled women
  • The Girls' education pre-1908
• Chapter One: The development of higher education in Egypt
  • The education during the era of Mohamed Ali's family
  • Establishing the national University
  • Developmenet of the national University
  • The governmental University
  • The American University
  • The University of Farouq I
  • The University of Ibrahim Pasha
  • Al-Azhar of Development
  • The high institutes
• Chapter Two: The Egyptian woman's joining to the university and the society's position regarding this matter
  • The feminist department at the old universities.
  • The girls' joining to the new university.
  • Male-mixing and uniform issue
• Chapter Three: The Egyptian woman in higher education
  • The female students in the new University.
  • The female missions.
  • The higher institutes for girls.
• Chapter Four: The graduated girls and work fields

Objectives and Key Themes

This study explores the history of Egyptian women's access to and participation in higher education between 1908 and 1952, highlighting their journey from academic deprivation to becoming community leaders. It analyzes the development of higher education in Egypt, the societal reactions to women's university entrance, and the subsequent roles women assumed in various fields after graduation.

• The evolution of higher education in Egypt
• Societal and cultural barriers to women's education
• The struggle for women's university access and inclusion
• The impact of women's education on societal roles and perspectives
• The contributions of Egyptian women in various professional fields

Chapter Summaries

The preliminary chapter examines the status of women in Egypt before 1908, focusing on the Harem era and its influence on women's education. It highlights the role of reformers, such as Refa'a Rafe' Al-Tahtawy, Mohammed Abdo, and Qassem Ameen, who advocated for women's education, as well as the efforts of the ruling family in establishing girls' schools.

Chapter One details the development of higher education in Egypt, beginning with the establishment of high schools under Mohammed Ali's reign. It traces the establishment of the national university, its transformation into a governmental institution, and the subsequent development of other universities, such as the American university, the University of Farouq I, and the University of Ibrahim Pasha. It also examines the evolution of Al-Azhar, which transitioned from a traditional religious institution to a modern university, and discusses the rise of specialized high institutes.

Chapter Two delves into the initial challenges faced by women in accessing higher education, particularly the feminist department at the national university and the subsequent efforts to integrate women into the Egyptian university. It addresses the societal debates surrounding issues like male-female mixing and the appropriate attire for female students.

Chapter Three explores the achievements and contributions of female students within the university. It examines their participation in various activities, including political demonstrations, sports, social work, and literary pursuits. It also investigates the role of women's missions abroad for studying and the establishment of higher institutes for girls to provide specialized education.

Chapter Four analyzes the diverse fields in which female graduates found employment. It delves into women's prominent roles as teachers, doctors, lawyers, journalists, artists, pilots, and scientists, highlighting their individual achievements and the societal shift in accepting women's presence in professional spheres.

Keywords

This work focuses on the history of Egyptian women's education, societal attitudes towards women's roles, the development of higher education in Egypt, the Egyptian women's movement, women's access to higher education, female participation in various professional fields, and the changing social and cultural landscape of Egypt during the early twentieth century.

• Author: Mostafa Shaker (Author)
• Publication Year: 2014
• Pages: 256
• Catalog Number: V435118
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668866317
• ISBN (Book): 9783668866324
• Language: English
• Tags: Egyptian history, Women, feminine rights, Egypt, modern history