Nadia Makram Ebeid

"I now cherish the ability to be surprised by things that come up unexpectedly, by beautiful things and new perspectives that emerge out of the blue, even in the most conventional and repetitive settings. The ability to be surprised surprises me."

"think it is very hard to imagine what your driving forces are and often one has to ask again and again, what’s the point of doing this, what’s the point of doing this, what’s the point of doing this."

"often feel like, because of the situation we are in, there is no point in doing this. But I think there is also just joy, in finding that things come together, the joy of writing, even though I really find writing gruesome."

"But there is something beautiful in the ability to create and I think that is the driving force, it is an attempt to create, to build, to be a witness, to tell stories when everything else doesn’t make sense and you know that your possibility to change things on the ground is not so high."

"If your work is about trauma and repression, it’s hard to be hopeful."

"a lot of our experience of the world but sometimes they take over too much and I think maybe there is something else to be explored, something more than defeat."

"This strict code of conduct has its roots in the patriarchal culture…of the country,and exerts enormous influence on society. So, the mindset of patriarchy is still there,”"

"We need women to have self-confidence that they can change, that this is the revolution we need and this is the revolution we deserve."

"There remains a huge gap between the vision and reality. Why? Because the big debate is how to blend Islamic politics and respect for women’s rights,”"

"Promoting women’s rights because it will spur development and economic growth is a powerful way for the United States to advance its foreign policy in the future."

"An increase in average female education by just three years can lower fertility rates and increase female support of political change and ability to be independent."

"Though current legislation is more favorable to women than ever before in Egypt."

". Remembering that what women need… is a voice and a job"

"All talk to democracy is bulls— without equality with men…when will the bomb of Arab woman explode? I’m speaking here of her ability, her ambition, her liberty, strength and rights."