The Nature of Egyptian Women

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The Nature of Egyptian Women In
Leadership Keenan Institute, Washington
D.C. April 6th , 2004
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Leadership Defined VISION AND COURAGE
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From Managing to Leading
Vision without action is a daydream Action
without vision is a nightmare
James Callaghan-The British Prime Minister From
1976-1979, once said A leader must have the
courage to act even against expert advice.
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Leadership Within Organizations

• Organizations need to have a clear sense of
  purpose or they will not survive.
• Successful leaders
• Know where they want to go
• Why they need to get there
• How to get there effectively

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Four Aspects of Leadership

• Vision What the future should look like
  VISION is purpose
• Courage Act make decisions
• Even!
• Against expert advice
• Skills How to get there vision becomes
  reality
• Practical getting it done. Achieve the
  purpose

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The Nature of Egyptian Women in Leadership

• Throughout the ages, we have witnessed women
  possess the leadership skills , we have just
  defined.
• We will look at the Egyptian women leaders, in
  four eras
• The Pharaohs
• The Monarchy
• The Revolution
• Women in Business Today

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1. The Pharaohs

• Women treated with respect.
• Had equal rights with men.
• Held in high regard.

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Queen Hatshepsut 15th Century B.C.

• Daughter of Tutmose I.
• Her nephew Tutmose III was in line for the
  throne, but due to his age, she reigned as
  queen dowager
• Fought her nephew
• Took over control as pharaoh
• Ruled for 15 years
• Became King in all statuary
• Dressed as male ruler

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Queen Nefertiti Wife of Akhnaton 18th Dynasty

• Wife of Akhnaton who established the new
  religion of one god.
• She had strength of character, personality
  perseverance and leadership.
• Led the fight against the old priests of Aton,
  to establish the new religion.

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Hatshepsut Nefertiti
Both demonstrated the elements of
leadership Hatshepsut Vision of the
throne. Skills to get there Practical
getting it done. Nefertiti Vision of
establishing the new religion. Skills to fight
the priests Practical getting it done.
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2. The Monarchy 1900s

• British occupation Egypt.
• Hoda Shaarawi 1919
• Led demonstrations of veiled women to support
  the cause.
• Established first feminist union.

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Safia Zaghloul Led demonstrations during her
husbands exiles. These two women
demonstrated Vision freeing Egypt from
British. Skills methods demonstrations
Practicality reaching the objectives
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3. The Revolution Egypt Became a Republic in
1952

• Mrs. Tahia Abdel Nasser
• Played an important role of leadership within her
  own family.
• Discussed state affairs with her husband, gave
  her views freely.
• Ran the house. Played modest role in Egyptian
  public life.

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Mrs. Jehan El Sadat

• Became of most active leaders in public life.
• Her social activities grew in number and scope.
• Became the most visible articulator of feminist
  concerns in Egypt .
• Was leader of numerous associations.

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The First Lady of Egypt
Mrs. Suzanne Mubarak

• Has certainly demonstrated the highest skills in
  leadership.
• B.A. in Political Science
• M.A. in sociology of education.
• Among her leadership positions
• ? Chairperson of the National Council for
  Women (NCW)
•       ? Chairperson of the Consultative
  Committee of the National
• Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM)

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The First Lady of Egypt

• Founder and chairperson of the Integrated Care
  Society, which encompasses various types of
  activities
• Cultural and Educational- activities for
• children and young people
• Health services in depressed areas
• Services to the disabled
• ? Founder of the National History Museum for
  children.
• ? Founder and chairperson of the Egyptian Society
  for Childhood and Development.
• Launched two campaigns
• One Hundred New Schools Project.
• Reading for all.

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Women In Business Today The Business Environment

• Quote
• Like riding an untrained horse on a muddy field
  in a jumping competition . Unquote
• It is
• Exciting
• Dangerous
• Frustrating
• Exhilarating

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Egyptian Women in Business Today

• Excelled in business
• Met the challenges
• Have proven capabilities/leadership in male
  dominated sectors agro, banking, finance, real
  estate asset management.
• Have reached CEO positions in various sectors.
• Are feared by - are a serious threat, to their
  male counterparts

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Women in Villages

• Though illiterate or with basic reading
  capabilities demonstrated skills in leadership.
• Running household like a general runs an army.
• Have clearly defined objectives and strategies of
  what they want to achieve and how to get there.

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My Own Experience
Eleanor Roosevelt once said A woman is like a
tea bag you never know how strong she is until
she is put in hot water.
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My Own Experience
I was not put in hot water I was thrown in
BOILING WATER!!
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My Own Experience

• Born in the South in Assuit, in a conservative
  family.
• Started my own company in 1962.
• The sixties were true test for strength and
  endurance, patience, hard work, and tolerance.

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In The Sixties
Women in Business Rare Did not have the
esteem/credibility of today Public Sector
vs. Private Everything controlled by the
state. Insignificant private sector
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The Challenge
Defying the system Surviving in public sector
dominated country Establishing credibility a
young woman in her 20s.
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The Options
Give up Moan and be miserable React Fight
work hard- learn be patient and tolerant
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Which Option Did I Chose
YES The second one The hard and bitter road
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My Own Experience
Looking Back Was it worth it? Would I do it
again?
Yes
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Why The Rewards

• The tiny company in 1962 is the leading marketing
  research and public relations firm in Egypt.
• Continuity and sustainability two daughters.
  Are running the company tough guys
• International recognition one of the 50 Leading
  Women Entrepreneurs

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Why The Rewards
The Arabic Proverb ???? ?????? ??? ???? ????
????? ????? Like mother like daughter
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Do not pray for An easy life Pray to be a
strong leader