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
-The Harem Era and the appearance of Unveiled Women.
- The Girl's 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
-The society and the woman's work.
-The work fields of the graduated girls.
Research Objectives and Topics
The primary objective of this work is to explore the historical trajectory of Egyptian women's integration into higher education and their subsequent entry into professional work fields between 1908 and 1952. The research investigates the societal challenges, the development of educational institutions, and the evolving role of women in academic and public life.
- Historical development of higher education institutions in Egypt (1908-1952).
- Societal perceptions, opposition, and support regarding women's university education.
- The role of pioneer women in academia and their contributions to the feminist movement.
- Emergence of professional opportunities and fields of work for female graduates.
- Analysis of the "feminist department" and the influence of early intellectual debates on gender roles.
Excerpt from the Book
Al-Harem era and the beginning of unveiled women
Al-Harem concept had appeared during the ottoman period as result of the immoderation in the religiousness. This issue reached the climax during ottoman state before connecting to the other cultures which affected the roots of the whole society, one of the most effects of this communication is the change of the society culture which led to the change of the woman's status and its role.
Pre-French occupation
The luxurious Egyptian woman was receiving her human experiences from her mother and her babysitter as well as everything relates to her body, her beauty and feminist experiences in order to be able to achieve the success in her marriage house.
As for the educated women, they were very few, the old educated woman "Sheikhah" who was going to the Harem at the palace daily to teach the girls and female slaves how to pray beside some verses of the Holy Qur'an.
If the palace owner was opened minded, he would entrust with his girls to one Sheikh who keeps the Holy Quran, how to write her name, the spelling letters and some verses of Holy Qur'an. If she reached nine years, she wouldn’t get out or see light but if she looked secretly behind a veil.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Provides a comprehensive overview of the historical role of Egyptian women and the shift from the "Harem Era" toward educational reform and equality.
The preliminary chapter: The woman status and her Education pre-1908: Examines the socio-cultural status of women before 1908 and the early stirrings of the call for female education.
Chapter One: The development of higher education in Egypt: Details the establishment and evolution of various Egyptian universities and high institutes from the era of Mohamed Ali to the mid-20th century.
Chapter Two: The Egyptian woman's joining to the university and the society's position regarding this matter: Explores the initial entry of women into university settings and the complex reactions from society.
Chapter Three: The Egyptian woman in higher education: Discusses the academic activities, student life, and participation in missions of female students within the university system.
Chapter Four: The graduated girls and work fields: Evaluates the outcomes of higher education for women, specifically focusing on their integration into diverse professional fields.
Keywords
Egyptian women, Higher Education, feminist movement, social change, university development, gender equality, women's work, historical analysis, Al-Harem Era, education reform, female students, academic integration, society, 1908-1952, professional career.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this research mainly about?
This research examines the historical journey of Egyptian women in accessing higher education and professional fields between 1908 and 1952, documenting their struggle against academic deprivation.
What are the central themes?
The central themes include the evolution of higher education, societal resistance to women's presence in public and academic spaces, the feminist movement, and the professional achievements of female pioneers.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to provide a detailed historical account of how women moved from limited education to community leadership and professional roles during the specified timeframe.
Which methodology is applied?
The study utilizes a historical-gradual approach, relying on primary documents, journals, and historical records to analyze the chronological progression of events.
What does the main body cover?
It covers the educational history of Egypt, the establishment of universities, the challenges female students faced, the debates regarding "mixing" and gender roles, and the diverse fields of work entered by women.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Keywords include Egyptian women, higher education, gender equality, feminist history, and societal transformation.
How was the "feminist department" in early universities viewed?
It was a subject of intense debate, perceived by conservatives as threatening to traditional morality, while seen by reformers as an essential step toward women's participation in intellectual life.
What role did the ruling family play in this context?
Members of the royal family, such as Princess Fatma Ismail and Chmisa Afet Hanem, were instrumental in funding and establishing early schools for girls, acting as catalysts for educational reform.
- Citar trabajo
- Mostafa Shaker (Autor), 2014, The Egyptian Women and Higher Eduacation (1908-1952). Women's Struggle from Academic Deprivation to Community Leadership, Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/435118
