Arab women are experiencing a promising reality in between the Gulf’s attempts to become more open, which have yielded many gains, and battles for rights elsewhere. Amid these circumstances, the arts take a stance that supports women’s issues because they play an important and influential role in our societies. 

For decades, Arab women have needed to change the prevailing view of public opinion about them, their capacities and capabilities so as to have their participation in building communities accepted. Women have waged many battles on this front. They were victorious at times and defeated at others but, during the recent period, they have proved that their participation in society is not granted by men’s sympathies but imposed by themselves as they aim to partake in the process of social development from various critical positions. 

This issue is linked to men’s perceptions of women in our societies, which must be changed. In this context, I would like to remind men of Sheikh Aaidh Al-Qarni’s words: “When you are a man, she will be a woman for you; when you are a king, she will be a princess for you; and when you are a lover, she will be infatuated by you. Don’t be nothing and ask her to be everything. Men, when you come to life, you are inside a woman’s belly; when you cry, you cry in a woman’s arms; and, when you are loved, you occupy a woman’s heart. Women are precious and were not created to get insulted.”

An artist must play a community role in supporting the issues they believe in, and this is one of my priorities as an artist

Yousra

Because all arts are basically an expression of life and society with their details and secrets, they have participated in the journey of women from the beginning of their battle for social existence until today. 

Women’s presence in works of art was not limited to ideas, symbols and pictures, but went beyond that to women being present as actresses, scholars, writers and directors. This signifies their attempts to adopt their causes and then try to influence society in order to obtain some of their rights, which women politicians might not have been able to obtain. 

As for my personal experience in this regard, I would like to talk about three parts. The first has to do with my childhood and upbringing, the second is about my work serving women’s issues in cinema and television, and the third covers my participation in women’s initiatives and events. 

I was raised in a predominantly female household by force of circumstances. I watched how the women lived and how they struggled to have a strong and good daughter in this society. These women raised me to have good manners and a strong work ethic. They planted in me the seed of success and the need to overcome failure and difficulties. Having grown up among these great women made me a strong woman with an independent will or, more precisely, I was “my own mistress.” 

As for the performing arts, a great generation of filmmakers concerned with marginalized issues emerged in the 1980s and 1990s. Among these issues was the oppression Egyptian women suffered in society. I had the chance to work with the great actress, the late Shadia, in the movie “Don’t Ask Me Who I Am,” which tells the story of a poor woman whose difficult circumstances drove her to sell her daughter. I also worked with Khairy Bishara in the movie “Strawberry War.” I played the role of a woman oppressed by society and forced by her circumstances to sell flowers on the street in order to raise her son. When she had an opportunity to enjoy fake financial happiness, she adhered to her traditions and values. 

I also addressed women’s social rights in the television series “A Matter of Public Opinion,” “In Safe Hands,” and others.  As a result, several international and regional organizations and bodies have chosen me as a women’s rights advocate, and this is the third, social part I referred to. I participated a few months ago in the campaign to end violence against women, which was carried out under the slogan “Hear Me.” The ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Arab League with the participation of a UN team concerned with gender equality and the empowerment of women.

My participation in the campaign was part of my strong belief that violence against women and girls is a grave violation of human rights, has drastic health, social and economic consequences, undermines women’s contribution to development, peace and security, and stands in the way of achieving equality, ensuring women obtain their basic rights, and improving their circumstances. 

A year ago, I also participated in a march to support Arab solidarity with displaced women and refugees in the region. An artist must play a community role in supporting the issues they believe in, and this is one of my priorities as an artist. In fact, this must be a top priority for all artists, especially those concerned with public affairs. 

• Yousra is an Egyptian actress and goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme.