Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-11
EGYPTIAN WOMEN
GAIN FREEDOM"
Nine. Samy Pasha Describes
Advance of Feminist Move
in Homeland.
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.

guarded precincts OF the harem, the
feminine world of the country of the
Pharaohs has many interests in COM
mon with the modern sisterhood OF
other lands.
Nine. Samy Pasha, wife of the Min
lister from Egypt, is an enthusiastic
supporter of the feminist movement"
which was started by her distinguished
mother, Nine. Charaoui PaSha, a few
years ago, In Cairo.
so many people in this country pic
ture Egyptian women as living lives OF
Incidence and eaSe-five or six women
In harems, where they do nothing all
day but lounge on divans smoking
cigarettes, closely guarded from all
associations with the outside world" said
Nine. Samy.
Girls Being Educated.
"As soon as we feel that our wom-
ca are sufficiently educated to it, We
expect to ask for the VOTE" she said.
For many generations our women
have not been educated along the same
lines as the boys, but now the girls
are being given the same education as
their brothers.
my mother" continued Nine. Samy
as president Of the Suffragist move
ment in Egypt-she has taken active
interest in the establishment of schools
where women will be taught not only
. general education, but also different
trades, such as rug weaving. dressmak-
Ing and needlework. They also are
given instruction In the essentials of
hygiene.
Public DlspenSarieS Established.
"A great need was found to exist for
public diSpenSarieS, which have been
established by prominent women.
One of these has been established by
my mother, and several years ago. one
was founded by the Princess Einelhaiat,
the first wife of the brother of the
present king. In these dispensarieS,
the women and children who need
medical assistance may go every morn
ing. They are examined by doctors
and given medicine free of charge.
Particular attention is given to the
children Of Egypt, as in past years,
there have been so many deaths among
the children of the poorer classes"
Nine Samy was asked if any of the
conservative women of her country had
retained the veil despite the dictates Of
modernism.
"Only q few of the older women
wear a veil when they go out" she re-
piled 1.-THE majority of women of the
prominent social classes have discarded
the veil for a smart velvet turban
generally Of . dark color, which is
worn when they go out upon the
streets
Only one conspicuous difference is
observed by Nine. Samy in the Gus
toms Of society of Washington and
Cairo. That is the unrestricted liber-
ty Of young girls permitted in this
country.
Chaperons Are Essential.
although the young girls of Egypt
play tennis, dance and have very much
the same education as your girls" she
said, "they would never be permitted
the companionship of young men I'M
chaperoned. We may give parties in our
own homes with brothers and cousins
Of the girls present, but no girl ever
would be allowed to go to a public
place alone with a young man. Neither
would 1t be considered proper for
young man to call at the home of
girl where there are no young men in
the family"
Carpet weaving is becoming an i'm
portant industry for the working wom-
en- of her country, Nine. San1y stated.
"About eight years ago a carpet factory
was established in Cairo, where great
many girls are employed"
Pottery Industry Revived.
Is Another industry which recently has
been revived in her land is ceramic pot
derry making, famous since the days Of
Che PharaohS.
Ss"Ceramic pottery had almost died out
Nh Egypt" said Nine. Samy, until re-
Gently it was revived with much en-
thusiasm. The ancient designs still are
inA naVf
many Of the country people who make
the pottery by hand and then sell their
wares in the cities"
do Egyptian women hold positions
IN the government" Nine. Samy was
asked.
Eyes" she replied, ''but principally
positions in the government schools
There are many women professors and
several who are inspectors. We also
have few women lawyers, and recent
~ the government has awarded scholar
ships to girls, and sends from eight to
ten q year to other countries to study
Men Help in Work.
Nine. Samy said that the men Of
Egypt had co-operated with women in
the establishment of girls schools and
In public works sponsored by women.
1.-THE government in recent years do
mated a large tract of land for the
building of woman's club" she said.
Prominent visitors are entertained at
the club and conferences are held,
where plans for the education and bet
5terment Of Egyptian women are dis
cussd by leaders Of the feminist move
nnent"
u. although we have made radical
changes, we are making them slowly"
she continued. 1.-THE women are climb
ing the ladder of modernism little by
little, but we do not wish to do so too
quickly"
Thinks Her People Happier.
Nine. Samy was asked her opinion on
American customs and methods. IT like
your method of instruction for chill
dren," she answered. "You hav prac-
teal way of teaching little children
to think for themselves which Is good"
In spite Of the lack of prosperity of
the Egyptian working man as compared
to the American laborer, Nine. Samy
believes that the people Of her land are
happier and more contented than those
in the United States.
mo matter how poor a man is in
my country, he always is smiling" she
remarked. Here, every one always is
so rushed and looks so worried. In
Egypt, q man may be only cleaner
of shoes, but he is happy and sings
and always greets you with smile"