What baffles me about the current state of Egypt and the Middle East is that it wasn’t always like this for women in those regions.
Historically, ancient Egypt was actually known for being relatively egalitarian in terms of gender differences.
Women in Ancient Egypt
“W
omen in ancient
Egypt were the equals of men in every area except occupations. Historians Bob Brier and Hoyt Hobbs note how women were equal to men in almost every area except for jobs: "Men fought, ran the government, and managed the farm; women cooked, sewed, and managed the house" (89). Men held positions of authority such as king, governor, general, and a man was considered the head of the household but, within that patriarchy, women exercised considerable power and independence.”
“Women could marry who they wanted and divorce those who no longer suited them, could hold what jobs they liked - within limits - and travel at their whim. The earliest creation myths of the culture all emphasize, to greater or lesser degrees, the value of the feminine principle.”
“Women could be scribes and also priests, usually of a cult with a feminine deity.”
“When a woman's husband died, or when they divorced, a woman could keep the home and run it as she liked. This aspect of gender equality is almost astounding when one compares it with women's rights over just the past 200 years. A widow living in America in the early 19th century CE, for example, did not have any rights in home ownership and had to depend on a male relative's intercession to keep her home after the
death or departure of her husband. In ancient Egypt, a woman could decide for herself how she would make money and keep her estate in order.”
“Women could marry anyone they chose to, marriages were not arranged by the males of the family, and they could divorce when they pleased. There was no stigma attached to divorce even though a life-long marriage was always regarded as preferable.”
“Birth control and abortions were available to married and unmarried women. The Ebers Medical Papyrus, c. 1542 BCE, contains a passage on birth control: "Prescription to make a woman cease to become pregnant for one, two, or three years. Grind together finely a measure of acacia dates with some honey. Moisten seed-wood with the mixture and insert into the vagina" (Lewis, 112). Even though virginity might have been prized by men initiating marriage, it was not required that a woman be virgin on her wedding night. A woman's sexual experience before marriage was not a matter of great concern. The only admonitions concerning female sexuality have to do with women who tempt men away from their wives. This was simply because a stable marriage contributed to a stable community, and so it was in the best interests of all for a couple to remain together. Further, the ancient Egyptians believed that one's earthly life was only a part of an eternal journey and one was expected to make one's life, including one's marriage, worth experiencing forever.”
So how the fukk did all that amazing culture and healthy male/female dynamics get replaced with the utter cesspool of rape, woman-hate, rage and sexual pathology?!
Make it make sense b/c our ancestors seemed to know what the fukk they were doing.
