Egyptians have always been known for their creativity, especially when it comes to problem solving. A couple of weeks ago, a 65-year-old woman was named by city officials as Luxor’s most supportive mother.
Yesterday, Egypt’s president Abdel Fatah El Sisi honoured Sisa Abu Daooh, who received an award for being the most devoted mother. She chose to dress up as a man for 43 years to support her daughter – if that’s not a mother who would do anything for her kids, then we don’t know who is!
After the death of her husband, Sisa Abu Daooh was left unable to provide for her daughter due to manual labour jobs being closed for women. Instead of giving up hope, Abu Daooh shaved her head and dressed in loose garments, changing her appearance to that of a man and securing herself a job.
She built bricks and harvested wheat; when her strength started failing her, Abu Daooh resorted to polishing shoes. Even though her siblings brought her many suitors, she chose to take care of her daughter on her own.
Going about as a man meant that Abu Daooh wasn’t in danger of being sexually harassed, and most of the people she worked with knew that she was a woman and she never tried to hide it. Slowly, her story got around until everyone in Luxor knew that Abu Daooh was a woman.
But that’s not where it stopped, hearing the inspiring story of what this woman did for her daughter, the government officials in Luxor named her the city’s “most devoted mother” and gave her a certificate and a kiosk as a reward.
From not being able to provide for her daughter as a woman to being recognized as the world’s most devoted mum and being honored by the president himself, this woman has come a long way!
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