She is also an avid human rights activist, tackling issues such as feminism and Egyptian Muslim-Christian relationships. Currently based in New York City, USA, El Tahawy was born in Port Said. She received her bachelor’s degree in 1990 from the American University in Cairo and later obtained her master’s in mass communication during the year 1992. Mona El Tahawy worked for many notable newspapers including: The guardian, The Washington Post and the international Herald-Tribune.