Origins & Early Life

Nawal El Saadawi (Arabic: نوال السعداوي, ALA-LC: Nawāl as-Saʿdāwī; 27 October 1931 – 21 March 2021) was an Egyptian feminist writer, activist, physician, and psychiatrist. She wrote numerous books on women in Islam, focusing on issues affecting women in the Global South, including sexuality, patriarchy, social class, and colonialism. She was the founder and president of the Arab Women's Solidarity Association. She was also a co-founder of the Arab Association for Human Rights.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

She received honorary degrees from universities on three continents. In 2004, she was awarded the North–South Prize by the Council of Europe. In 2005, she received the Inana International Prize in Belgium. In 2012, the International Peace Bureau awarded her the Seán MacBride Peace Prize. The second-eldest of nine children, Saadawi was born on 27 October 1931 in the small village of Kafr Tahla, Egypt.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Saadawi was subjected to female genital mutilation at the age of six, though her father believed that both girls and boys should be educated. She had described her mother and father as being relatively liberal when growing up. Her Upper Egyptian father was a government official in the Ministry of...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Contemporary (Born in 1931) (1931): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Akseli Gallen-Kallela — Contemporary (Died in 1931) (1931): Pioneering Finnish painter, celebrated for national romanticism and the Kalevala.
• Albert A. Michelson — Contemporary (Died in 1931) (1931): Pioneering American experimental physicist known for light speed measurements.
• Albert Bandura — Contemporary (Died in 2021) (2021): Pioneering psychologist known for Social Cognitive Theory and self-efficacy.
• Antony Hewish — Contemporary (Died in 2021) (2021): Pioneering radio astronomer, celebrated for the discovery of pulsars.
• Beverly Cleary — Contemporary (Died in 2021) (2021): Pioneering author of children's literature, celebrated for emotional realism in middle-class narratives.
• Abu Bakr — Shared historical date (10-27 · Born) (573): First Rashidun Caliph and esteemed companion of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Bernie Wrightson — Shared historical date (10-27 · Born) (1948): Master American comic artist celebrated for intricate horror and science fiction illustration.
• Ali Abdullah Saleh — Shared historical date (03-21 · Born) (1947): Yemeni military officer and politician who served as President of Yemen from 1990 to 2012.
• Ali Daei — Shared historical date (03-21 · Born) (1969): Legendary Iranian striker, celebrated for his prolific goal-scoring record in Asian football.
• 1931 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1931
• October 27 (10-27) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 27
• 2021 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2021
• March 21 (03-21) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 21