The National Council For Women, the governmental entity all about female equality and empowerment, placed a large celebratory spotlight on this year’s Ramadan shows that supported women’s rights. A ceremony was held to honor the many actresses who played noteworthy and significant female roles during the 2023 Ramadan show lineup. Among the honorees were Mona Zaki, Amina Khalil, Nelly Kareem and Donia Samir Ghanem.
Each of these actresses and the roles they played placed women at the forefront and many of them had a significant social impact. When it comes to Mona Zaki, she played the role of Hanan in ‘Taht El Wesaya’, a widow fighting to provide for her children following the death of her husband.
This show alone received major praise for its unique portrayal of single motherhood in a patriarchal society in addition to how it ignited new discourse around changing Egypt’s guardianship law. The law states that the father’s inheritance as well as legal guardianship of children goes to the paternal grandfather rather than the mother.
Along with that is ‘El Harsha Al Sabaa’ starring Amina Khalil which showcased an accurate representation of the hurdles of a seven-year-long marriage. The relationships-centric show presented a different dynamic to a typical marriage wherein Khalil pushed against the role of being a stay-at-home mum to instead pursue her dreams and career aspirations.
All these shows showcase the many ways female representation was different in this year’s Ramadan lineup and how new conversations are beginning to be brought up through Egyptian television.
