Women in the Media Past - Present - & Future...

A Case Study of Egypt

A Paper for Presentation of the Regional Conference on Arab Women Journalists

October 24-27, 2002

By:

Sonia Aly Dabbous (Ph.D.)

Assistant Editor Akhbar El Yom

And

Affiliate Professor of Journalism

American University in Cairo

              It has been recognized all over the world that mass media has a great potential in promoting attitudinal, social changes, and in speeding up women’s integration in society. However, in reality this has not been the case. Over all number of women journalists employed in the media around the world has recently decreased by 2% according to a recent study by the World Association for Christian Communication. Today, women are 41% of working journalists; they were 43% in 1995. The majority of respondents to a 1997 International Women’s Media Foundation (IWNF). The International Women’s Media which is a foundation leading international women’s media organization has drawn on 10 years of experience working with and for women journalists around the world has gathered the comments and reflections of more than 100 women media leaders from 60 countries who attended “Women in the News Media: A Focus on Leadership,” a program held in Washington DC in May 2000. The problems facing media women were almost the same in many parts of the world. Survey said that not even one out of ten decision makers in their companies were women.

            In the 2000 IWNF survey a clear majority of respondents 98% said that women face professional barriers that their male colleagues do not. Perhaps, the most substantial obstacles women face sterm from cultural and social stereotypes about what is appropriate for women. The most difficult of these is that women should not work outside the house; this has a tremendous impact on women journalists trying to move up the ladder. One of the most daunting barriers that women journalists face is the dual challenge of balancing work and home responsibilities these stops them from further professional training.

            This paper will look at a case study of Egyptian Women in the media. I will start with the early years of the nineteenth century in Egypt which witnessed the rise of a considerable number of women’s magazines, most of which did not last long. However, their appearance indicates the development of a woman’s appraisal. The paper will briefly look at the New Social and Political role of women’s publications, early feminist expressions, women representations in the press syndicate board, early women fighters, and the women’s press in the post-revolutionary era.

            The second part will be devoted to a look at current situation of women in the Egyptian media.

            The final part of this paper will focus on the future of Arab Women in the media, in the age of new technologies, the age of the Internet, and satellite digital devices. A NEW SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ROLE

            In the early years of the nineteenth century, women’s magazines and newspapers started to have a great social and political role, “Al Rinana” which was issued in 1907 by Gamila Hafez, a Turk, has on its front pages the Motto, “Egypt for Egyptians.” Another women’s magazine “Magallet Targiate Al Marra” founded by Fatma Rashid, an Egyptian, was issued in order to support the first women’s association in Egypt. “Al Maraa,” magazine used a photograph of the pharonic princess “Nifretiti,” as its logo.  It appealed to the working women, who were on scholarships abroad who found this magazine a reflection of their thoughts and feelings. Among the many interesting articles were the articles on the Egyptian women’s liberation movement, which the magazine gave its full support by supporting all the actions taken by the women and answering back all the attacks against the movement. The publisher herself, Balsam Abd Elmalak, took part in this movement.

            Many other women magazine followed all supporting the liberation of the Egyptian women and many had the word “Nahda” (Renaissance) before their names like: (El Nahda El Nisaya) “Women’s Renaissance” and (Nahdat El Saidaddate El Missriate) “The Egyptian Women’s Renaissance.”

            As the process of development of the women’s press moved forward, their magazines and newspapers began to call for clear social and political rights. Over 33 women magazines were published some of which had to stop publication due to financial problems.

TOWARDS A FEMINIST EXPRESSION:

            The existence of early feminism was seen as an important force for social change in Egypt. Examples of these are women feminist writers like, Malak Hifni Nassif, who wrote under the pen name of “Bahisat El Badia” i.e. (Searcher of the Desert). She was among the leading Egyptians to use the press in advocating for her ideas on marriage, divorce, unveiling, and education in the early 19^th century. Her aim was to use her writings for women’s emancipation with an integral part of national resistance. Nassif believed that education for women was a necessity as was her freedom as a woman. In 1911, she spoke in the Egyptian legislative assembly putting forward a program for the improvement of women’s position.

            Another example of a feminist writer was Mounira Thabet who was referred to as the (Young Rebel). In 1926, she was the owner of a weekly newspaper for women called “Al Amal” (The Hope). It was a political newspaper that had on its front page a statement that says: “A Newspaper that Defends Women’s Political Rights.” The objectives of the paper were to educate liberate, give women their political and social rights, issue laws, fight social corruption, and allow women to communicate with her fellow women around the world. In fact, most ministers, conservative thinkers, and religious men conducted very strong campaigns against this paper, but this never stopped Thabet’s publishing of the paper.

L’EGYPTIENNE (THE EGYPTIAN)

            Among the magazine advocating for women’s rights was “L’Egyptienne” which was founded in February 1925, by the leading women’s leader Hoda Sharawi, this paper was unique in that it appeared in French and addressed the upper class, as well, and it was also sent abroad. The paper was a monthly, and it published bout 1,000 issues, 200 of which were sent abroad. The magazine, which was the organ of the Egyptian feminist union, had on its front page a drawing of a lady removing the veil.

WOMEN REPRESENTATION IN THE PRESS SYNDICATE BOARD

            The Egyptian Press Syndicate was first founded on the thirty first of March 1941, its members started with owners and journalists, however, membership, was not necessary to practice journalism. There were 120 members three of which were women. Today, there are about 3500 members in the press syndicate of a quarter of who are women. The syndicate has a council of 12 journalists elected every two years. The first Egyptian women to join the council in 1955 was Amina El Said, one of Egypt’s famous woman writers, and since then there has always been one women among the 12 council members, and as one council member said, “Electing a women has always been difficult, since over three quarters of the members of the press syndicate are men who still could not accept the idea of a woman being a leader.

            It is important to say that in order for the women to get a fair representation in the press syndicate council, they should have at least three seats for women, this has only happened once in 1975 when three women were elected.

“FATMA EL YOUSSEF,” ANOTHER WOMEN: A “FIGHTER”

            Another woman a journalist with great achievements was “Fatma El Youssef.” A leading woman in the male dominated world of political journalism. Her magazine “Rose El Youssef,” which she started in October 1925, remains in circulation until today. Although the main aim of her magazine was not the defense on woman’s rights, yet she conducted the strongest attacks on Egypt’s Royalty, British occupation, and corruption. She faced many problems to which she bravely stood up to give an example of how women could never give up her journalistic mission.

“BINT EL NIL” DAUGHTER OF THE NILE

            Doriya Shafik, a leading Egyptian feminist journalist started her journal “Bint El Nil” (Daughter of the Nile) in 1945; the choice of the name indicated patriotism. In 1948, she started the “Bint El Nil Union,” a strong feminist union, and in 1951, she also formed a political party named “Bint El Nil.” Both the party and the paper were closed by Nasser in 1957. All these aimed at getting women’s political rights by using all possible means. The magazine continued publication on monthly bases until 1957, and strongly advocated women to struggle for political rights. Doriya Shafik’s call for political rights continued even after the 1952 Revolution.

            In general, we could say that women’s participation in the press involved a lot of challenges especially in the pre-revolutionary era (Pre-1952).

WOMEN PRESS IN THE POST REVOLUTIONARY ERA

            After the 1952 revolution, the press became part the state machinery, apart from the very few women’s magazines, which outlived the first years after 1952. All the women’s press in Egypt was part of the state machinery. Most women’s magazines wrote about beauty tips, social affairs, and tips for working women. Some newspapers devoted a weekly page for women’s affairs; other newspapers began to devote only a section to women’s affairs. “Al Ahram” had two columns on its back page for women. News of women’s political rights and achievements began to be highlighted.

“EVE” THE FIRST POST REVOLUTIONARY WOMEN’S MAGAZINE

            In 1954, “Hawaa” (Eve), Egypt’s first post-revolutionary women’s magazine, started publication. The target readership of the magazine was both men and women. When it first started, its circulation was 175,000 issues in 1954, and it increased to reach 200,000 before 1967 war. During the period from 1967-1970, it went down to about 175,000.

            The style and substance of the magazine consists mainly of articles and columns on health and beauty. Family affairs, fashion, letters to the editor, problem page, a short story, house decoration, food receipts, and other light features.

            Hawaa faced very little competition, since it was the only women’s magazine from 1954 until 1964 when Akhbar published a women’s magazine “Hiya” (She) designed very closely to the French magazine “ELLE,” it became very popular especially among the elite women. However, only 21 issues were published after which the magazine seized publication.

            Al Ahram started publishing a women’s magazine “Nisf El Donya” (Half of the World,) in 1989 a magazine that addresses the working Egyptian woman. This magazine contains a variety of topics covering all aspects of life legal, religious, political, social affairs, and their relation to women.

            The participation of women in Egypt’s press today is not confined only to women’s pages or women’s magazines. Egyptian women journalists at the top editorial or managerial levels are very scarce if compared to their actual numbers, which is around a quarter of the total number of the members of the Egyptian Syndicate. In the field of journalism women predominate at the lower levels and even a majority of them work in the fields like social and women’s affairs.

            A research paper I conducted on 50 women journalist in 1989 showed that women in Egyptian journalism are governed by a set of traditions that are ingrained in the society, they are well aware that in order to reach their goals, they have to wait for a long time. Also women today support their families along with their husbands and this double responsibility has put her under greater strain.

            Some women journalists are forced to leave their jobs on maternity and childcare leave, which obviously creates promotion problems for them.

WOMEN IN THE FIELD OF PRINT MEDIA

            According to the latest report “Women in Egypt” issued by the National Women’s Council in 2001, the number of women journalists has increased from 2.72% in the 1940’s to 9.42% in the 1950’s and 1960’s. This is attributed to education policies, which gave a chance to free education. The survey showed that the nine national publications have a larger number of women journalists ranging from 38.1% in Broadcasting magazine to 37.1% in Middle East News Agency, 33.7% in Rose El Youssef magazine, 32.7% in Al-Ahram newspaper, going down to 18.9% in Al-Gomhouriya newspaper. The party papers have a smaller percentage of women reporters ranging from 21.1% to 12.6%.

            On the other hand, the membership of Egyptian women journalists in the press syndicate from the official registry of the year 2000 of the Press Syndicate indicates that from 1961 to 2000 the total number of female journalists is 377 or 9.42% of the total number of members.

WORKING MEMBERS REGISTERED OF THE PRESS SYNDIATE

Table 1

Source: Registry of the Egyptian Press Syndicate

WOMEN IN RADIO AND TELEVISION

            Both Egyptian Radio and television devote several programs to women’s affairs and social programs. In this field, both the total number of women holds senior positions and those working in the different medias.

            Table two and table three show that the percentage of women in Radio and Television is almost equal to men and in some higher ranking position the number of women could be higher.

HIGHER POSTS IN RADIO AND TELEVISION JUNE 2000

Table 2

Source: Egyptian Broadcasting Union Central Planning Department 2000.

  PERMINANT POSTS OCCUPIED BY WOMEN IN RADIO AND

 TELEVISION IN JUNE 2000

Table 3

Source: Egyptian Broadcasting Union Central Planning Department 2000

NUMBER OF STUDENTS REGISTERED AT THE COLLEGE OF MASS COMMUNICATION

Table 4

Source: Records of Faculty of Mass Communication

Cairo University 2001-2002.

Table 4 shows the females percentage of students faculty of Mass Communication in very high reaching 79% in the first year students, 82% for the second year, 73% in all sections of the third year.

            According to the study published by the National Council of Women in Egypt and in accordance with the Statistical survey the following are the main results:

            1. Women participation in Radio and Television exceeds than in the Print Media, although women’s participation in the print media started much earlier. Women holding leading positions are 50%.

            2. Despite the increase in women’s presence in Radio and Television, if compared with the press, the topics addressed in the media are bias against women.

            3. Despite women’s leadership in Radio and Television, 60% of women’s programs still focus on the traditional role of women in the homes. The remaining 40% celebrates the higher classes and ignore the problems of the less privileged and rural women.

            4. Many researchers have shown the necessity for training for media women on the knowledge of her issues and the importance of integrating them in the society as a whole.

 THE FUTURE OF WOMEN IN MEDIA LEADERSHIP

            The new era at technology and globalization can throw professional doors wide open for women. “There is power where women, news, and the Internet come together.” It is without doubt, that women in the media are looking to the Internet as a new professional outlet and as another opportunity to establish professional credibility.

‘We have come to the world of Digital Devices where people around the world can shrink themselves into a new Online Global Village. Online media is the communication through the Internet and the Satellite digital devices. Online accessibility opens the doors of education, socialization, and entertainment for all knowledge seekers. Women around the world find themselves drowning in the world of material responsibility or stereotype ideas that refer to men as more effective members of the society. Online media and the Internet provide women with millions of chances to work and educate themselves with the least physical effort by learning computer skills and start browsing the Internet for more knowledge of acquire better life. Some women in places like the Middle East are still imprisoned in their cultural taboos that do not allow them to continue education or work in places where men work. Online accessibility offers a fair solution; imagine that you can study, work, shop, exchange information, and socialize through the net.’

Today, women can have access to the world by online media Revolution. There are advantages and disadvantages of this REVOLUTION and they are:

Advantages:

1. People have more awareness of what is happening in the world.

            2. People have their own judgment on their selections.

            3. We do not have to depend on the government on our everyday news.

            4. People can have debates and discussions of what is presented in the net.

            5. People can exchange information through on-line web sites.

            6. You can educate yourself through academic sources and information                            

exchange.

Disadvantages:

1. News is in assuasive amounts and sometimes is exaggerated.

            2. People have problems with the language sometimes.

            3. Quantity of topics and themes are huge; therefore, people have difficulty                     

concentrating.

            4. Uneducated audiences do not have the proper selection.

            5. Audience get confused on what they should believe.

ON-LINE EDUCATION:

            Online learning, online courses and online continuing education for women can develop your career and enrich your personal attitude with knowledge. Thousands of educational institutes provide this kind of service for people who cannot have the chance to travel or have an ordinary method of learning. Women can have on-line educational partner institutes, online training, online learning guides, online educational shopping, online examination, online academic evaluation and attention to get highly qualified degrees and jobs. Women’s online learning courses can be interactive, innovative, and informative. Professional development help is available from Career Counselors in all online institutes. You can design a personal curriculum with help from the Education Counselors that can connect you through Internet to ask for advice from one of the receive instruction from female experts, and build a lifelong learning path with exclusive online educational programs. With this technology, each student, regardless of geographic location, can join in the courses by just dialing a phone number at the designated time to connect with her tele-class leader and other students from all over the country and even the world. Online education offers enormous variety of daytime and evening learning to all women who strive to earn this knowledge.

            Millions of these online institutions offer you special women’s studies that aim at introducing women to the uses of electronic media and using the Internet, which has spread throughout the world. It is also striving to serve as an accessible conduit to the overwhelming amount of information about women, women’s studies, and women’s issues on the net. In addition, these online sites hope to create a network among different women’s groups scattered throughout the world. Further, these instructions are happy to assist women who want to learn how to use the Internet for their own activities or to form a career in web designing, web and multimedia development, Internet marketing and leading skills.

ON-LINE HEALTH ISSUES:

            Thousands of online sites are specialized in maternal studies that concern women like nursing, midwifery, maternal care, parental guideness, mother education, and child planning education. Being a mother is not an easy task; the last centuries that women used to depend on her mother or mother in law to learn how to raise children or maintain the qualities of being a perfect wife. Now most Arab women do not live with their families and need educational guides to build a healthy society. Online media has provided the educated mother with so many sites that can be an ever-lasting guide for being a knowledge mother.

As a woman, many health issues concern my femininity, and it is very healthy for me to ask numerous women from other cultures to provide me with advanced information about health care. Doctors perform operations and guide other peers in doing theirs through the net. Imagine how much communication we have?

ON-LINE ADS AND SHOPPING:

            Women do not need to spend time shopping in malls and get bored from window-shopping; the online window is always at any women’s service when it comes to buying. You can open the shop sites and order what you need by inserting your credit card number and name. This task is very simple and easy to use, but it can turn out to be a shopping addict so be careful.

On-line Jobs;

            Many women do not have the opportunity to work in jobs they like in some countries in the Middle East. Online connections have made it easier for women to apply for online jobs in many international institutions and companies. The job always depends on the ones education and qualifications. There are also career sites that help graduates find jobs through the net without any trouble wondering from office to get a boring desk job. Many people especially women created their own jobs by doing their own web sites and connecting with people around the globe.

            I cannot tell you in specific how many sights there are because there are millions of them. The Arab women can surf international boarders while she is at home without a passport. Your passport is your educational and knowledge to gain it and use it.

WE EXIST

Some societies view women as weak and delicate individuals who need special care and restrictions; while in others, women are expected to do much of the heavy labor just like men. In both cases, women insist on earning their freedom to maintain their human rights as free first class citizens. Females around the world are still striving to get their social equality and are working very hard to spread feminism, which is the belief that women are equal to men and should have rights and opportunities.

Throughout the last century in the Arab World, Arab women have greatly educated themselves and dominated work places and positions. They have tremendously succeeded in creating a strong image of liberal Arab women. Women are standing side by side to men in constructing a well-organized and suitable social structure.

Finally, I would like to say that through networking, sharing experiences, professional training, building confidence in other professional women, and supporting them would influence our next generation.  Online Magazines:  

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