In this compelling interview, Egyptian writer, journalist, and researcher Rasha Azab sheds light on her courageous fight against systematic oppression by the Egyptian regime. Women bear the greatest burden of political detention and repression in Egypt, a reality Azab highlights through her personal experiences. From enduring surveillance, harassment, and rights violations to staging a two-week sit-in at the Journalists’ Syndicate, Azab shares the personal and professional toll of repression.
A founding member of the “Kefaya” movement against Hosni Mubarak’s regime in 2004, Azab became a prominent voice after the revolution, advocating against the trial of civilians in military courts. She continues to write on issues such as political detainees, violence against women, and sexual harassment. Her debut novel, Qalb Malih (A Salty Heart), was published by Kotob Khan in Cairo in January 2022. In this interview, Azab also discusses her broader advocacy for freedom of expression, women’s rights, and the collective struggle for justice in Egypt, offering a powerful call to action for local and international communities to stand in solidarity against authoritarianism.