Aliaa Magda Elmahdy

thumb|Aliaa Magda Elmahdy Aliaa Magda Elmahdy (Egyptian Arabic: علياء ماجدة المهدي, IPA: [ʕælˈjæːʔ ˈmæɡdæ (ʔe)lˈmæhdi, ˈʕæljæ-]; born 16 November 1991) is an Egyptian internet activist and feminist advocate. She became known for publishing a nude photo on her Blogspot page, which she described on Facebook as "screams against a society of violence, racism, sexism, sexual harassment and hypocrisy". Since then she became a subject of several death threats. Elmahdy describes herself as a "secular, liberal, feminist, vegetarian, individualist Egyptian" and has identified as an atheist since turning 16. Quotes I am not shy of being a woman in a society where women are nothing but sex objects harassed on a daily basis by men who know nothing about sex or the importance of a woman. Elmahdy explains that her protest was intended to challenge the objectification of women and the widespread sexual harassment they face in Egyptian society. The photo is an expression of my being and I see the human body as the best artistic representation of that. Elmahdy explains that her protest was intended to challenge the objectification of women and the widespread sexual harassment they face in Egyptian society. In Egypt, a woman is like a lifeless body, a corpse. This body is owned by other people. They think if she doesn't follow the rules, it is okay to beat her, to harass her; it is okay to kill her. So the best way to say no to all of that is to say, "This is my body and I will do whatever I want with it."**Elmahdy argues that women should have complete autonomy over their own bodies and rejects social norms that justify violence or control over women. I have never seen a man exercise the freedom to wear a veil. Responding to criticism that her activism threatened religious freedom, Elmahdy argues that dress codes are applied unequally and disproportionately restrict women. Many men who claim to oppose sexual harassment join campaign organisations simply to get laid. Elmahdy criticises what she sees as the hypocrisy of some male activists who publicly support women's rights while acting from self-serving motives. I have the right to live freely in any place … I feel happy and self-satisfied when I feel that I’m really free. Aliaa Magda Elmahdy explains that personal freedom and bodily autonomy are fundamental human rights. She expresses that true happiness comes from living freely without social or political restrictions. They are afraid that I might influence others and change the position of women in Egyptian society. Elmahdy explains that she received death threats because some groups feared her activism would encourage women to challenge traditional gender roles and demand greater freedom. My body belongs to me first. It belongs neither to my parents nor to my boyfriend. I do what I want with it. Elmahdy asserts complete ownership over her own body and rejects the idea that family, partners, or society have authority over her personal choices. External links Category:Women activists from Egypt Category:Internet activists Category:Feminists Category:Atheists Category:1991 births Category:Women born in the 1990s Category:Living people