A first in modern times: woman becomes governor
Nadia Abdou will lead Beheira, northwest Egypt, focusing on tourism and investments to revitalise the governorate. Chronic water shortages, infrastructure and sustainable development are among the priorities to be addressed. Religious fundamentalism remains a threat.
Cairo (AsiaNews) – For the first time in its modern history, Egypt has a woman governor after Hikmat Abu Zayd, the first minister of Social Affairs in 1962. Nadia Abdou was sworn in on 16 February as the head of Beheira Governorate, northwestern Egypt.
For analysts and observers, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi made a very positive decision, especially since this post was reserved exclusively for men.
Women’s activists and feminist groups had urged President Al-Sisi to uphold the Egyptian Constitution by appointing more women to local government and administrative posts.
The second paragraph of Article 11 of the Egyptian Constitution stipulates that "The State shall take the necessary measures to ensure the appropriate representation of women in the houses of representatives, as specified by Law. The State shall also guarantee women’s right of holding public and senior management offices in the State and their appointment in judicial bodies and authorities without discrimination.”
"What I know of President Al-Sisi is that he really wants to emancipate Egyptian women,” Nadia Abdou said at her first press conference following her appointment. “He said that 2017 will be dedicate to this and he is doing it”.
Nadia Abdou holds a Master's Degree in Medical and Environmental Engineering from the University of Alexandria. She is also a member of the Alexandria Business Union. "I would like to turn the historic city of Rosetta into a great centre of tourist attraction," she said.
However, dampening the joy of women’s groups and the optimism of the new governor is the fact that Beheira Governorate suffers from an acute water shortage, poor infrastructure and inadequate sustainable development projects, not to mention religious fundamentalism.
It should be noted that since the Nasir revolution in 1952, most governors, especially in "conservative" governorates, have been former generals from the military or officers from the police.
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