In a country of over 80 million, and a city of over 15 million people, it’s amazing to experience the isolation of so many of the women who live here in Cairo.
Amal spends most days in her apartment, often lowering a basket out the window and calling to the local shop keepers for the produce she needs, avoiding the hassle of stairs, busy streets and the veil required. She visits her mum once a week, and sees her neighbors occasionally.
Her story is not unusual; time and time again we’ve met women whose world is confined to their small apartments. Once married, her life is influenced by few; her kids, her TV, mother, sisters, neighbors and most importantly by the man who comes through the door at the end of the night.
Negla, mum of four, living like millions of others in a small apartment off a crowded dirt street feels the conflict;
“I can’t do without my kids, even for a moment, I need them with me. But if I had one wish it would be to get out more.”
Even 9 year old Souhaila ‘plays’ with the little girl across the street - but both stay in their homes, calling to each other across the divide.
Egyptian women – like women all over the world - love their families more than anything, but their role as mother confines them to a small world.
Challenge: Make her world a little bigger.
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