Aliaa Magda Elmahdy

Aliaa Magda Elmahdy

Aliaa Magda Elmahdy (Egyptian Arabic: علياء ماجدة المهدي, IPA: [ʕælˈjæːʔ ˈmæɡdæ (ʔe)lˈmæhdi, ˈʕæljæ-]; born 16 November 1991) is an Egyptian internet activist and feminist advocate. She became known for publishing a nude photo on her Blogspot page, which she described on Facebook as "screams against a society of violence, racism, sexism, sexual harassment and hypocrisy". Since then she became a subject of several death threats. Elmahdy describes herself as a "secular, liberal, feminist, vegetarian, individualist Egyptian" and has identified as an atheist since turning 16.

Quotes

• I am not shy of being a woman in a society where women are nothing but sex objects harassed on a daily basis by men who know nothing about sex or the importance of a woman.
  • Elmahdy explains that her protest was intended to challenge the objectification of women and the widespread sexual harassment they face in Egyptian society.

• The photo is an expression of my being and I see the human body as the best artistic representation of that.
  • Elmahdy explains that her protest was intended to challenge the objectification of women and the widespread sexual harassment they face in Egyptian society.

• In Egypt, a woman is like a lifeless body, a corpse. This body is owned by other people. They think if she doesn't follow the rules, it is okay to beat her, to harass her; it is okay to kill her. So the best way to say no to all of that is to say, "This is my body and I will do whatever I want with it."**Elmahdy argues that women should have complete autonomy over their own bodies and rejects social norms that justify violence or control over women.

• I have never seen a man exercise the freedom to wear a veil.
  • Responding to criticism that her activism threatened religious freedom, Elmahdy argues that dress codes are applied unequally and disproportionately restrict women.

• Many men who claim to oppose sexual harassment join campaign organisations simply to get laid.
  • Elmahdy criticises what she sees as the hypocrisy of some male activists who publicly support women's rights while acting from self-serving motives.

• I have the right to live freely in any place … I feel happy and self-satisfied when I feel that I’m really free.
  • Aliaa Magda Elmahdy explains that personal freedom and bodily autonomy are fundamental human rights. She expresses that true happiness comes from living freely without social or political restrictions.

• They are afraid that I might influence others and change the position of women in Egyptian society.
  • Elmahdy explains that she received death threats because some groups feared her activism would encourage women to challenge traditional gender roles and demand greater freedom.

• My body belongs to me first. It belongs neither to my parents nor to my boyfriend. I do what I want with it.
  • Elmahdy asserts complete ownership over her own body and rejects the idea that family, partners, or society have authority over her personal choices.