On the occasion of International Women’s Day, and in response to a question from one of my patients about the relationship between society and women, I said:
In general, in societies where masculine tendencies dominate, the woman is blamed in all cases, even if she is raped or violated.
In private life between man and woman, society regresses when her freedom is violated — through verbal harassment, physical touching, or a degrading view of her body.
Practices such as what they call “purity” — which scientifically is mutilation of the female genital organs without consent — or forcing marriage in childhood, hiding her identity in the name of protection, or depriving her of the right to continue her marital life by abolishing laws that grant her this right — all reflect this regression.
I found myself thinking: what is the link between society and woman except a cultural interdependence, in which there is a collective split personality.
Society glorifies the mother and calls Egypt “Mother of the World,” yet at the same time accuses the woman and violates her rights, even if she is the victim.
The masculine mindset claims that woman was created from Adam’s rib.
To me, Adam may be a name that could refer to a man, a woman, or both.
Returning to science, I see that self-awareness through reason is the greatest human ability.
Religion — especially Islam — urges us to think, search, and learn.
When Darwin proposed evolution over billions of years, the theory collided with religious interpretations held by clergy in Christianity, Judaism, and Islam.
The same resistance appeared when science proved that Earth is not the center of the universe.
Interpretations are human, not sacred.
Humanity must mature and allow knowledge to accumulate, rather than stopping at the childhood stage of collective thinking.
The philosophical-scientific-religious question
Was the beginning of creation — symbolized in religion by Adam — a complete human formed instantly from clay, as literal interpretations say?
Many people today — including myself — see the story of Adam and Eve as symbolic, and some scholars from different religions share this view.
Scientific evidence shows that genetic diversity in humans is too great to come from only two individuals.
Mitochondrial DNA, inherited only from the mother, traces all humans back to one woman who lived in East Africa about 150,000 years ago — called Mitochondrial Eve.
This suggests humanity may not have descended from only two people.
Genetic diversity requires at least 50 individuals to avoid extinction, and about 500 to avoid genetic drift.
Estimates suggest that early humans needed a population of at least 2,500 individuals to survive.
This agrees with evolutionary theory but conflicts with literal religious interpretations.
The story of Adam and Eve may be symbolic, meaning that humans came from one community.
Compared to the 14-billion-year age of the universe, human existence is less than a second.
We are not even a scene in the film, yet we think the film revolves around us.
Returning to the Egyptian woman
The Egyptian woman is extraordinary — mother, worker, farmer, leader.
When educated, she excels.
When she ruled in ancient Egypt, she led with wisdom.
When she sat on the throne, Hatshepsut ruled for 21 years and made Egypt a great power.
When she sang, she became Umm Kulthum, the Star of the East.
She led airplanes, revolutions, science, medicine, and art.
What protects women from oppression today?
Science.
Knowledge.
Education.
Every family must arm its daughters with knowledge.
To all the women of Egypt…
Your past is civilization,
Your present is strength,
And your future is light.
