Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-04-27
WOMEN SEEK
A HIGHER EDUCATION
Men Beginning to Realize It Would
Lift Standards of Mos
lem Races.
Foreign Correspondence of The Star.


CAIRO. Egypt. April g. 1914.
It is generally admitted that the future
Of all Moslem races, and the elevation OF
their moral and physical standard de-
pend In a great measure on the better
education Of the Moslem woman and her
emancipation from the very secondary
one might say. degraded-social position
that she occupies even today. There are
signs that this fact is gradually receiv-
ing recognition in Egypt. The spread OF
education among the male section Of the
population is slowly broadening the views
Of the Egyptians as to the social posi-
ton of their womenfolk. Polygamy. ex-
cept among the lower classes. is as much
an exception today as it was the rule a
score Of years ago.
The increase in the cost Of living may
have had something to do with this
change. but as this monogamistic tend
ency has been noticeable among the
pasha and hey class. 1t Is not unreason-
able to assume that the spread OF educa-
ton has not been foreign to it. Further
more the movement in FAVOR OF tne
abolition of the veil which has sprung
into prominence during the past two or
three years, and the articles, some OF
them exceedingly outspoken. on that sub
ject and on the urgent necessity for I'M
proving the position Of the Egyptian Wom-
an, which appear in the vernacular press,
afford interesting indications OF the
Transformation in the general outlook,
which Is slowly coming to pass.
Demand for Educated Wives.
The raising Of the standard OF education
among the men has had for natural con-
sequence a demand for educated wives,
and parents. realizing this fact, are seek
ing by all means in their power to obtain
for their daughters the instruction that
will render them Intellectually attractive
when the time comes for them to be mar
ried. The government has done its best
to assist in the matter. and has estaD-
lished a great number Of schools where
girls can receive elementary and ad-
yanced tuition. But the demand for ad-
mission far exceeds the available accom-
mediation.
While official efforts have been made to
meet this new situation, 1t has become In
creasinely evident that the instruction
afforded at the public and private schools
was not having the useful result that was
expected, in that girls who had completed
their studies had no means Of further ex-
tending their knowledge, and that those
whose early marriage had brought their
education to a premature close had no
facilities for completing that education
If after their marriage they desired to
do SO. With a view Of filing this want
there has been founded in Cairo. under
the auspices of the khedivah-mother and
of the wives Of the ministers and Of the
chief European and native notables. q
society called the Women's Educational
Union.
Objects Of the Society.
Its objects as set forth in its statutes
are:
1. To unite in a common bond women
Of all nationalities interested in educa-
ton, and thus promote the cause Of fe-
male education in Egypt.
2. To assist mothers and teachers to
understand the best principles Of educa-
ton. and afford them opportunities for
consultation and cooperation. SO that the
wisdom and experience Of each may be
profitable to all.
3. To provide for this purpose lectures
dealing with education in its physical.
mental and moral aspects.
4. To afford to girls and young women
who have been well educated an oppor-
tunity of maintaining their interest in in
tellectual and literary matters. and to
publish for that purpose a magazine deal
ing with educational subjects in a Ian
guage understood by the majority.
Two meetings have already been held
at the Egyptian University. and at the
last Nine. FL Basel who Is well known
as a writer. gave a lecture in Arabic on
"The Influence Of Women" large num-
Der Of adhesions have been recei ed. and
there are many signs that the society will
meet with great success.