Nabaweya Moussa

Nabaweya Moussa

Born on December 17, 1886, Nabawya Moussa was the first Egyptian girl to have a high-school education in 1907 and for 21 years later she was the only Egyptian girl to have this degree. Her name is imprinted on the history of education in Egypt. For many reasons she was said to be the pioneer of women's education in the country.

For nearly forty years (1904-1946), women's education was her main cause. Thanks to her, women were able to go through all the posts of the education process. Earlier, Egyptian women working in this field were allowed only to teach while foreigners worked as managers and supervisors. Her efforts paid off and she was the first headmistress, the first supervisor, the first manager.

When the first non-state-run university was opened in Egypt, Nabawya Moussa, together with other two pioneers; Malak Hifni Nasif and Labiba Hashem, were invited to lecture high-class ladies in order to educate them.

She wrote a very important book called "Fruits of Life in Girl's Education" which, in 1908, was adopted as a curriculum by the then Ministry of Education. A year later, the governor of Al-Fayoum governorate convinced her to be the headmistress of Al-Mohammadia school for girls. In a four-year time the number of the students was doubled. Her achievements in Al- Fayoum, Al-Mansoura and Cairo proved her to be a real pioneer of women's education.

Moussa in Public life

She did not confine herself to education, but she lived as a revolutionary social life. Through the women's movement, she participated in 1919 Revolution. She went into many battles for the sake of Egyptian women trying to get them as many high government posts as possible.