Aisha Rateb

"To get my rights. I joined Huda Shaarawy’s association and other associations that were fighting for women’s rights. I was then only 21 but to no avail."

"I was the second Arab female ambassador after King Hassan’s sister. I was also not the first Egyptian ambassador to Europe; I was preceded by Hatshepsut, Nefertari and Nefertiti, those Egyptian queens who are well known in the world over."

"No more than secretaries toeing the line and being assigned tasks instead of acting like ministers capable of initiating policies."

"A ban on entering the judiciary based on gender goes against Section forty"

"I express my pleasure over Al Gebali’s appointment. It is like seeing the results of what I started."