Page 9 – What Women Want

Home birth: Is it the right choice for you?

Although a vast majority of Egyptian women give birth in hospitals, with many of them opting to have C-sections for non-medical reasons, there is currently a growing movement of women returning to…

Dalia Adel: Yoga transformed her life after a slipped disk in her spine!

We all have friends that swear that yoga has changed their life, some of us have even experienced the benefits personally, but nothing demonstrates the healing powers of yoga more than the…

The Story of Elham: Walking through hell and coming out as a passionate photographer, footballer and future police officer!

“I am a lot of things”, she said right before she sat down for our conversation. This fierce young photographer proved throughout the interview that she has walked through hell and come…

Are you likely to have a preterm birth and what to expect if you are!

Something going wrong during a pregnancy is every woman’s greatest fear. Even though we all hope that nothing bad happens to us, being informed about the potential problems is the best way…

“Nobody can tell us what to sing and what not”, Cairokee’s Amir Eid tells us in response to censorship of new album ‘No2ta Beida’!

Released alongside a series of stark and minimalistic music videos, showing the band sitting and performing in a darkened room, Cairokee’s newest album is as usual all about the power and depth…

Female artist Tasneem Meshad on how shapes and colors can transform our mind!

With her art being bought by Qatari Princes and murals having lined the walls of Ministry buildings, it is clear that Tasneem Meshad has a great deal of talent. But meeting in…

Secret spots to enjoy this Summer if you are veiled!

A veiled woman has many hardships and difficulties to face during the summer season, the biggest of which being tolerating the heat with all the layers that they must wear to observe…

Halal Nail Polish, is it even true?

A new millennium where practicing Muslim women are able to apply nail polish freely seems to be on its way! Some practicing Muslim women have had issues previously with applying nail polish…

Debunking Birth-control myths: the ‘Safe Period’ method isn’t safe!

With so many rumors and anecdotes flying around from women of all generations swearing by different contraceptive methods, it is hard to know what actually works and what doesn’t. But when it…

To what extent does fear of envy (hassad) control your life? Take the Quiz!

1) Are you very cautious about who you tell the important stuff happening in your life? A- Always B- Never C- Sometimes 2) Do you tend to squeeze in the word “Masha’allah” between…

What if Jameel were an Arab Woman? Would the story receive the same public zeal?

This summer, the Arab World is lit up by Rihanna and Saudi billionaire Hussein Jameel’s steamy relationship. Local and international media as well as the paparazzi fed on their romantic photos and…

Exclusive Interview With Newest Egyptian Oscars Academy Member Director Mohamed Diab!

For as long as we’ve known him, brilliant director and screenwriter Mohamed Diab hasn’t made entertainment movies, his trademark has long been a power statement; a reflection of society and a portrayal…

Sue Ellen provides a voice for female lawyers through the brilliant initiative ‘Leeha El Hak’!

Starting off as a dreamer whose ultimate goal was to know her duties and protect her rights, 33-year-old Sue Ellen is now head of Total Egypt’s legal department and a law professor.…

Ramy Sabry Wins First Place For Worst And Most Sexist Song Ever!

“When the man talks, the woman shouldn’t argue,” says the lyrics of this all new Ramy Sabry song that apparently tackles the ethics of a balanced relationship from the perspective of the…

Disaster in Sahel? Here’s what to do when stung by a jellyfish!

The Summer season is now here. Many of us have packed up our families into a car full of all of our beach gear, and travelled to Sahel, and the last thing…

Designing the perfect custom-dress: Nadine Makar takes us through the wonderful world of couture

The fashion scene in Egypt in the past decade has exploded with talent from fabulous local designers, and none represent this new wave of creativity better than custom-dress designer Nadine Makar. We…

Al-Aslyeen’s makers Ahmed Mourad and Marwan Hamed prove to be originals of premium quality movies!

On the Sunday morning that marks the first day of Eid, we made our way between the crowds half-awake like any passionate early bird would. All our efforts to avoid the Eid…

Real women stories of non-fasting shaming during Ramadan!

Men shaming women and disempowering them is no news, but women shaming other women is the real issue in our society today. In this day and age, some women are still ashamed…

What’s better than watching the awesome, new Pepsi ad? Getting together with your two favorite people to watch it!

Everyone knows that three is the magic number, and why be alone when you can be in great company having fun? Pepsi have embraced this idea with their new advert which you…

“I got married with a silver ring that was worth less than 200 LE” Vlogger Fatma Abdelsalam reveals!

“I thought I’d talk to social media instead of talking to myself,” says everyone’s new favorite vlogger Fatma Abd AlSalam. We had an interesting talk with Fatma, who originally started out as…

Try this Savory Authentic Syrian Chicken Fatteh

Authentic Syrian food has always seemed like a delicious, exotic treat, but with this simple recipe you can capture the wonderful Levantine flavors in your own kitchen! Ingredients: 1 pack shamy bread…

Good girls go to heaven, bad girls go everywhere…

Growing up, I never really wanted to be a princess. I was rather torn between the pretty dresses of the latter and the guns and lasso of the Cowboy. So it ended…

Avoid lumpy béchamel with Omar Shabrawy!

For recipes and food reviews that will have your mouth-watering and your stomach rumbling, Omar’s Food blog is the place to go! So we had a chat with him to find out…

Super-Sweet Chocolate Brownie Basbousa Recipe

What is Ramadan dessert without Basbousa? Try this delicious Basbousa recipe with a little super-sweet twist. Ingredients: 1/2 cup melted butter 1 cup sugar 1 cup plain yogurt 2 cups semolina…

11 Years of Real Tales: Editor’s Note May/June 2017

Dear Readers, When I was a little girl my father always used to tell me how I could do anything I put my mind to. For every time I would say, “I…

Azza Fahmy’s The Wonders of Nature Classics; a collection to die for!

We have all looked at Victorian England and fawned over the luxurious style of the women, exuding class, elegance and poise. Attending the most fabulous events with noblemen and royalty, the women…

Classism and Social Hierarchy: Will We Ever Break Free?

The greatest love stories most certainly don’t come easy, especially in drama. Struggle serves drama, it breaks your heart right before it puts the pieces back together. But our hearts have been…

Belly-warming Creamy Chicken Soup

For the perfect tasty way to break your fast, this soup is creamy and delicious and will definitely have you coming back for seconds! Ingredients: 2 cups chicken broth 500g Almarai cooking…

5 reasons why coconut oil is a must-have this Ramadan

1) It helps you burn fats: If you are wanting to burn of the weight from eating all those unhealthy iftar treats, coconut oil is your go-to. It contains fatty acids that…

Eman Naguib’s secrets for picture perfect food and mouth-watering Molokhia

Everyone’s favorite budding foodie, Eman Naguib doesn’t just cook amazing food, she has the ability to make it look absolutely fantastic too. So we quizzed her to find out how we can make…

La Totfe2 ElShams between the movie and the TV Series: Six major differences and three identical scenes!

Those who fell in love with the original work can be sensitive towards any changes, and they might even criticize Tamer Habib for all character-twists. But for us it is just captivating…

Coaches not couches! Ramadan tips from Coach Yassin.

We have always been amazed by how well Coach Yassin manages to balance being a proud and active father, a committed husband and a top fitness coach. But how on earth does…

Staying in Shape with Samira Khalil

Global Head Instructor of Cheerobics, Samira Khalil knows a thing or two when it comes to fitness and nutrition. So she was the perfect person to help us with our struggles to…

Hala Serag El Din’s tips on having a healthy Ramadan!

Fitness fanatic Hala, knows that staying healthy during Ramadan is about more than just avoiding taking that extra piece of Katayef, so we quizzed her to find out all her secret healthy…

Ramsi Lehner: “After a 2 minute conversation, people assume I am Thaer Mokhtar.”

With Ramsi Lehner it is always hard to know what to expect, this Ramadan he is back in the “Al-Gamaa” series prepared to wow us all. How did you prepare for your…

Why Hisham Maged fears a Ramadan-Baby Belly!

Going for the extraordinary isn’t new to him. This Ramadan, Hisham is cooking up something great with Ahmed Mekki and his all-time companion Chico. What is your first collaboration with Ahmed Mekki…

Based on your picks from The Edward’s Ramadan menu, which ‘El Leila El Kebeera’ character are you?

The Edward’s have put together an amazing spread this month, with their ‘El Leila El Kabeera’ theme making you feel like you have stepped into a Ramadan paradise. And with so many…

Is it time for Adel Emam and Youssef Maati to go their separate ways?

There are certain constants in every year’s Ramadan, and just like Konafa and family gatherings are on top of the list, Adel Emam is as well. We have grown to love this…

The Secret to Tender Chicken and Delicious Dips with the Cairo Foodie Couple

In the past few months the Terzibashians have taken the social media world by storm with their array of delicious recipes and insightful reviews. We gave this fabulous foodie couple a few…

How Tara Emad responds to “inshallah elsana elgaya nftar f beitek”!

A promising young talent, Tara Emad is already going places and breaking out of her comfort zone this Ramadan. Between college, family gatherings and work, how do you manage to maintain balance?…

Mehalbya With Meshmeshya: The Perfect Mix!

With Ramadan comes innovative desserts, we can’t deny that Mehalbya with Meshmeshya is the perfect dessert to have after a huge Iftar meal. Here is how you can master this perfect delicious…

Tasty treats with a twist at tortina for every 3ozooma

With so many events with family and friends, Ramadan is a time when all of our sweet-tooths go crazy. From the sophisticated soirées to the last-minute get togethers, each 3ozooma has a…

A Chat with this Ramadan’s Fresh-Face, Salma Abu Deif

After captivating the modeling world, Salma has enthusiastically approached the film industry with 2 movies this season and 2 Ramadan TV series! You used to present a radio show at 16, how…

“Overweight women are beautiful”: Egyptian Artist Esraa Zidan’s message to every woman to love herself.

The positive energy that exudes from Esraa Zidan’s paintings of these gorgeous fat ladies, can also be seen to radiate from the artist herself. This talented painter, PhD researcher and Lecturer at…

Ramadan Cooking Guide for the Newly Married

Ramadan is a month for amazing food, which means a lot of us end up spending a lot of time in the kitchen. Which is great if you are a professional chef…

Dog returned to owner dead after EgyptAir flight!

Over the years, EgyptAir have faced a great deal of criticism for how they treat customers and manage their services, but yesterday the internet exploded with news of a fresh tragedy at…

Ghada AbdelRazik sabotages the reputation of Egyptian Airhostesses for Drama

It is bad; bad enough that even the series overload this Ramadan isn’t going to let her get away with it. Skimming through television we bumped into Ghada AbdelRazik’s Ramadan TV series…

Brilliantly Beetroot Shish Tawook

A good home-made Shish Tawook is enough to bring a smile to anyone’s face, so for the perfect flavors with a sensational Beetroot dip, try out this recipe! Ingredients: 500g chicken breasts 3…

Our Favorite Creamy Cheese Cannelloni with Spinach Filling

Béchamel is always a family favorite, so try out this fantastic recipe for meal that everyone will enjoy! Ingredients: 2 tbsp Knorr Tomato Paste 1 pack Knorr Béchamel Mix 500 ml milk…

More-ish Mushroom and Parmesan Balls

These delightful treats are super easy to prepare and make the perfect appetizer for any iftar gathering! Ingredients: 500g button mushrooms 200g parmesan cheese (plus extra for sprinkling) 1 tsp paprika 1…

Secret Fried Chicken Recipe Unleashed and It Is Super Easy!

On Some level, we are all thankful that Colonel Sanders decided to peruse a cooking career at age 65 and founded Kentucky fried chicken for our pleasure. However, this alluring recipe of…

Ramadan is here! But that doesn’t mean it is time to forget about Minya.

29 Egyptians were left dead in the brutal gunman attack on a bus in Minya. This was just the latest in a string of assaults on the Coptic Christian community. But unlike…

Netflix launched a Ramadan campaign all about female empowerment!

We are all fans of Netflix because they have provided us with hours of amazing entertainment which in turn had created hours of conversation and debate with our friends and family over…

8 Reasons why Ramadan in Egypt is better than anywhere else from Egyptians abroad

Egyptians have created a unique atmosphere for Ramadan that you most certainly won’t find anywhere else and you only need to spend a Ramadan in a country other than Egypt to feel…

You don’t need to cry over spilt milk, just pour another glass! Check out Almarai’s brilliant new campaign

It is a picture-perfect portrayal of the truth, proving once and for all that we weren’t born instinctually knowing how to be great mothers, but we actually had to learn the hard…

These stunners got cheated on and society still blames you for not taking care of yourself?

There is a tendency that whatever the circumstances, when a man cheats on his partner, society decides that it is the woman’s fault. As soon as the scandal hits people’s ears, comments…

How Do Mom’s Cope With The Technological Crazes Their Kids Get into?

With technology all around us and children learning how to swipe on an i-Pad before they learn how to write with a pen, how are real Egyptian mommies coping? Do they let…

Is Society Ready for Fishawy’s State of Mind?

One of Egypt’s quirkiest and most rebellious artists is Ahmed Fishawy. With body art, inappropriate jokes and transparent statements, Fishawy has been a media troublemaker throughout the past couple of months. Being…

Underrated Brands that we love!

Although everyone loves to be seen with the big trendy designer names, sometimes our obsession with these brands blinds us to all the hidden gems. There are so many amazing, underrated brands…

Recycle your frying oil waste and save the environment with Green Pan initiative

We Egyptians love our food fried, but did we stop to think about how many homes are left with oil waste at the end of each day and how these homes actually…

Killer Fries: The unpleasant truth behind this tasty treat

We are all guilty of thinking that fries make the perfect tasty side dish for any meal, and sometimes we crave eating a whole portion of fries just by themselves. Of course…

A chat with Egyptian artist Sayed Arafat on his portrayal of sexual harassment in Egypt

Of all our society’s ugly truths, sexual harassment is usually on top of the list. It is not just something we don’t want to see, it is something we don’t want to…

Why spend a fortune on Sahel when you can roam the world?

Every year the prices for staying in Sahel go up and up, but this year it has started to get a bit ridiculous. Although the beaches and the atmosphere are amazing, why…

Being in your 30s doesn’t mean your life is over, in fact, it is just getting better!

We thought we owned the world at the age of 20 and God we were so wrong! In my conversations I have with my bffs we always feel that our best years…

One on one with dog expert Sam about what to feed your dog, what to do if they refuse to be trained and much more!

Everybody loves dogs, they are definitely amongst the best pets that you could ever own. But sometimes it can be hard to know how to be the best possible parent to your…

Staying home to raise your children doesn’t make you less of a man, it makes you more of a father!

For too long it has been the case that regardless of a woman’s career or commitments, when a baby joins the family, it will be she who has to put everything else…

How traumatizing is the shift from love texts to “bring bread/Oil/Green beans…”? Psychologist Ehab Youssef explains.

It is the small things that can determine whether a relationship is toxic or healthy; they are often things we don’t recognize, details that we don’t give much attention to, and yet…

‘Banat El Nas’, shines a powerful spotlight on daily sexual harassment in Egypt

Starting as a viral video of the looks and stares a girl casually walking down across Qasr al-Nil Bridge receives, this project turned into a short award-winning documentary of interviews and social…

Are long-distance matchups code for exporting brides?

We all have a relative that is working abroad and excelling in his career while his mommy is bride-hunting for him here in Egypt. “We don’t want him getting us a girl…

“Sleeping in my car was all part of the experience!” : Mirvat Ghandour, the Arab Adventurer

Within a few minutes of meeting this intrepid adventurer it was clear that boundaries and limits just don’t exist. Each new opportunity is met with an optimism and a genuine passion to…

A Dubai Adventure with Netflix Mena!

Dubai is easily the world’s favourite vacation destination in the Middle East, and after we had the pleasure of going there to meet the Netflix Mena team it makes complete sense why.…

Get your child excited about eating a healthy lunch with these Lunchbox Friends!

Sometimes it can be difficult to get our children to eat healthy lunches. But if you turn their lunch into their favourite characters, they will be counting down the seconds till they…

Start off your kid’s day with the delicious Breakfast Bird!

Art isn’t just for paint and coloring pencils, stimulating your child through being imaginative with food is a great way to boost their creativity. Ingredients: 2 waffles 1 kiwi 1 orange 1…

The UAE rejects the term ‘disabled’, for ‘People of Determination’ and it’s about time we did the same!

Images of this beach sign have been circulating on social media platforms, making the online community come alive with support for the UAE’s move to stop referring to individuals as ‘disabled’, and…

7 things I stole from my mama’s closet

A mom’s closet is every girl’s idea of a haven. At some point in our lives, we’ve all taken our picks of our moms’ most appealing personal items. So, what is the…

Breastfeeding Pediatrician says: You are allowed coffee! 6 Misconceptions about breastfeeding

When it comes to pregnancy, breastfeeding and parenting, everyone always has something to say. But sometimes the advices and tips you get are just good old mamma tales; things that have been…

How to give your skin a break!

We asked beauty experts Asma Sherif Mounir, Diana Richy, Soha Koury, Yasmin Ebeid, and Paya for their best tips and tricks when giving your skin a break from your typical makeup routine.…

Somabay: The perfect place to start your happily ever after

There’s something utterly captivating about Somabay’s idyllic peninsula; the perfect clash of blue and green, the gentle breeze, as well as the clear skies in long, sunny summers that seem to last…

Arab Musicians with a Quirky Sense of Style

If you’re looking for musicians with style as unique as their music, look no further. Here are 5 of the quirkiest and coolest Arab musicians: Souad Massi shows that you don’t need to…

8 Ways to Wow with Denim

Most of us have a few staple Denim garments in our wardrobe, but often they are tired, overworn and put together in outfits that lack inspiration. Well these looks will show you…

Eating yourself Skinny? Eating the right types of food can actually help you lose weight!

Did you know that losing weight can become effortless by eating natural fat-burning foods? Yes, you can eat and lose weight at the same time. The key to real weight loss is…

This Home-made Burger recipe is a Life Saver!

Home-made burgers are the perfect family meal, they are much healthier than the fast-food variety and everyone can add their own fillings and toppings to taste! This simple recipe will become a…

Kids raised with pets are the happiest: Egyptian Mums share their experiences!

We’ve all been told that they’d harm our children, transfer diseases and pose all sorts of threats which is only normal since pets have long been labeled as dangerous when it comes…

When Avocado meets Mexican: A fusion of our favorite flavors at Maria’s

Walking into the romantically-lit restaurant in the Fairmont Heliopolis Towers, we were instantly drawn in by the smells coming from the kitchen. We were welcomed by the charming manager who brought out…

5 Things women should do if their husbands are glued to their phones

It is not a rhetorical question, because there is an answer. It is not a hopeless case, because there is a way out. We asked a group of women what they do…

Food swaps: Eating healthy without the hassle

Let’s be honest, everyone thinks that eating healthy food is boring and difficult. But the trick is to replace the unhealthy ingredients with healthy ingredient so you that don’t have to sacrifice…

8 reasons your baby might be crying at night

It is an unfortunate fact of life that babies cry at night, but sometimes it is for perfectly normal, healthy reasons and other times, there might be something wrong. Here is a…

Female Egyptian asks women in what weird ways their men tried to control them: Responses will shock you!

It is 2017, the world has developed in so many ways, progress and advancement are all around us, but despite all that, in our male-dominated society the concept of Sy ElSayed still…

Sexual Abuse: The Elephant in the Room

I grew up in Germany, where during the late 80s and early 90s this was a topic that had begun to be discussed openly to create awareness and protect children. We were…

Everything you think you know about skincare is wrong!: Dr Obagi, skincare Guru shares his secrets

Dr. Zein Obagi, the charismatic face of ZO cosmetics, is on a worldwide mission to transform our understanding of skincare. A brand new line of innovative skincare products in addition to the new…

8 Brilliant Sandwiches in Cairo under 30 L.E

When it seems as though the only way the dollar knows how to go is up, and that your pocket isn’t much of a hospitable environment for your cash, we’ll be there…

On-Demand vs Scheduled Breast-feeding? Only one correct answer to protect your baby’s development!

Although the debate continues between whether moms should breastfeed on-demand or on a schedule, according to Pediatrics Consultant, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Clinical Nutritionist, Dr Ghada Sayed, there is only…

Why Egyptian men fetishizing foreign girls is harmful to everyone.

Unfortunately society is shaped significantly by stereotypes. It is clear that there are certain ideas of foreign girls, Westerners in particular, held by Egyptian men of all ages affecting their interactions. These ideas…

Geraldine Brooks uncovers the Hidden World of Islamic Women in must-read book, ‘Nine Parts of Desire’!

As a woman, it is undeniable that there is exceptional pressure placed on us in terms of sexuality, modesty, composure, work, etc. Although we are in the twenty first century, certain topics…

How much screen-time should your child be allowed to have per day?

Once upon a time, it was ‘give him a toy’, today it is ‘give him an IPad’. When it comes to keeping kids occupied, sometimes you might not be able to afford…

An exotic evening with an alluring atmosphere at Mirai

The perfect location for a romantic date, with its beautiful lighting and proximity to the river. Sitting outside with fire heaters keeping us warm was the obvious choice. For drinks, they are…

“I was 11 years old and he was my teacher”: A story of assault.

It happened when I was 11 years old. I am 32 years old now and just trying to write about it makes me shake. He was my school teacher and he was…

8 people you’ll find at any Egyptian Henna Party

It is the local version of a bachelorette party with the twist of ancient culture and the spirit of an Egyptian happy Goddess. It’s a girl’s going away party, an occasion to…

Our Favorite Mother and Baby Bonding Sessions!

After 9 months of waiting, the baby has finally arrived. It seems like there is an overwhelming number of things that need to be done so sometimes making time to just relax…

أول_محاولة_تحرش_كان_عمرى# triggers massive responses from both Females and Males who shared their stories on Social Media

???_??????_????_???_????# (The first time I was harassed was at the age..) is a hashtag that originated back in 2011 when a girl shared her story, and has been recycled recently by Alla…

Future of Egypt’s Food: Egypt’s Leading Hydro-farming Expert Explains All

Within recent years, the number and variety of leafy greens that are safe to eat in Egypt have sky-rocketed, all thanks to the innovation and creativity of one individual. Amr Bassiouny is…

The Great Escape: Mothers explain their journey from the big city to their coastal paradises.

Three mothers, Norshek, Natalie and Jennifer, along with their families made the decision to leave Cairo and relocate to the Egyptian Coast. Whilst Norshek and Natalie found their new homes in El…

Egyptian Mom and Salaty Founder, Yasmine Hammad, transforms praying for children

Although Yasmine Hammad started her company to give women a new more tailored option for prayer gowns, Salaty has been transformed into a business now predominantly focusing on encouraging and inspiring children…

Egyptian Celebrities are finally turning heads to stray animals!

Ahmed Al-Shurbaji, founder of ‘Hope Egyptian Baladi Rescue and Rehabilitation’, an organization devoted to saving street cats and dogs, has recently announced Actor Ahmed Fahmy and Menna Hussein Fahmy as the organization’s…

6 things Egyptian economic housewives don’t throw away

It is no longer a matter of social classes or job statuses; the economic crisis has hit everyone and anyone. And whilst banks consider drastic measures and huge corporates apply stringent financial…

Swimming Champion Amr ElSohagy qualifies for Paralympics Tokyo 2020

Seven years ago, Amr’s car flipped 15 times over on the road back from the North Coast, killing his cousin and putting him in a wheelchair. And while that seems like the…

Disney’s wish granted with Egypt’s own Marwa Gabriel named Casting Director for Aladdin

After meeting Marwa Gabriel, Egypt’s number one Casting Director who has worked on award-winning films such as ‘The Nile Hilton Incident’ and ‘Hepta’, it is no surprise that she has been chosen…

Villeneuve’s thought-provoking film, ‘Incendies’, captivates the crowd.

This film is not for the faint-hearted, based on Wajdi Mouawad’s acclaimed play of the same name, Incendies promises to take you on an emotional rollercoaster presenting many dark but important themes…

Find the best of Egyptian fashion brands on #HanaGoesLocal

With everyone obsessing over the biggest international brands you would be forgiven for not realising that Egypt in fact is home to some of the most talented, inspirational and inventive designers in…

Seven Fabulous Foods to prevent Hair-Fall!

One thing that all women worry about is hair-fall. Whilst men seem to be able to get away with going bald with pride, we generally experience shame and embarrassment when the quality…

Job Interviews with the Egyptian Man

As much as stereotyping is not the ultimate way to get to know people, we have to admit that there are certain trends that can be observed while conducting interviews for…

The Trials and Tribulations of Raising an Egyptian Man.

“He’s cold”, “He doesn’t respect me” are the classic complaints of Egyptian wives. And yet no one has it figured out yet. A man shaped into a specific mold with no room…

A Mom for just 1 day: Here’s what I’ve learned from Motherhood while babysitting my friend’s kids for 1 day

“It’s not just your life anymore”, I always hear this from moms but I’ve never understood it until I had the honor of living one of the most overwhelming yet exhausting experiences…

We talked to the workers at Efselha Recycling Kiosks who told us more about the initiative

A new era just began with Cairo Governorate’s launching of the “Efeslha” project last Saturday. This garbage-recycling project started with two kiosks in Misr El-Gedida, urging people in the neighborhood and all…

Etiquette Expert: The Language of Etiquette is not just for queens!

Contrary to popular belief, good etiquette isn’t just for royalty like Kate Middleton and Queen Rania. It is a set of rules that guide people to proper behavior. We had a sit-down…

Boys Must Not Be Ignored in the Battle for Gender Equality: A Talk to Amel Fahmy, Director of Tadwein

The office of Tadwein, a centre for gender studies, is tucked away in a little apartment block in Maadi. It’s managing director Amel Fahmy has spent her adult life working on issues…

On Raising A Boy In Egypt: A Mother’s Perspective

I have been blessed with 2 children in a 7 year marriage; a boy and a girl. Although I love my children both equally, I tend to lean towards my son, and…

Female Gas Station Attendants: There is no job women aren’t tough enough for!

“It’s a man’s-job.” The gender-categorization of jobs is a Middle East specialty. Drivers, butchers, pilots, Presidents, gas station attendants and many more professions have been seats saved for male candidates. However, the…

Could this Radical Type of Therapy Be the Answer? : A talk to Family Constellations practitioner Bassant El Menshawy

The feminist Adrienne Rich once wrote “Until we understand the assumptions in which we are drenched, we cannot know ourselves.” If you replace assumptions with traditions, then one might see that Family…

Reasons why we feel Marital Sex is boring and how to fire things up!

As we all know, sex is more than just a physical act between two people, it is something which regardless of if you are deeply in love with the other person or…

When anxiety hits, here is what to do!

No matter how brave a face you put on, everybody feels anxiety occasionally. Whether it is because of a looming deadline or a busy social-life or even just bubbling nerves that seem…

A Book Review for Be Careful What You Wish For by Alexandra Potter

When was the last time you made a wish? And what was it? Before you answer, you must know that by wish we don’t mean those well-thought out, calculated wishes you make…

A Book Review for Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Love at first sight is the typical fictional fantasy. Boy meets girl, boy falls for girl, girl reciprocates the feeling. That is almost every single happy-ever-after that we know of. We never…

10 Tips for every Egyptian Mother raising a Son

With social pressures all around pulling you in many different directions, it can be difficult to know the right ways to raise a son in Egypt. So here are 10 tips that…

Revolutionizing Egypt’s Art Scene: A talk with D-CAF’s Visual Arts Curator Berit Schuck

In the build-up to the highly anticipated D-CAF (the Downtown Contemporary Arts Festival), with events and performances about to transform our city and challenge our perspectives on everything from politics to art, Visual…

A Picture-Perfect Way to Remember Your Favourite Memories: Nada Habib from Little Pretty Things tells us about Shadow Boxes

Have you got little keepsakes from your child’s first year, or a holiday you loved that you don’t want to get rid of but don’t know what to do with? Then Nada…

Confidence is Key: Female self defence Trainers share the secrets of Wen-Do

Sitting down with these five normal Egyptian women, no man would have guessed that every single one of them could have kicked his arse. But Amany, Alaa, Yasmine, Manal and Maysoun, could…

What Yogic Philosophy tells us about the male mind

In yogic philosophy, men are said to be similar to the energy of the sun and women are said to be similar to the energy of the moon. In this article I…

5 Mothers share their views on raising boys: “He will not only be a man but also he may be somebody’s husband and father”

All Egyptian mother’s recognise the struggles of raising a son in Egypt. When asked how they plan on raising their sons to avoid creating men that fits all of the negative stereotypes of…

A Debate with Hepta’s Bestselling Author Mohamed Sadek on the depths of societal darkness

With a history of novels that have long-generated dispute, Sadek’s recent release “أنت.. فليبدأ العبث” (You), portrays society’s darkest sides; cheating, sexual harassment, murder and sin. A complexity that left us wondering,…

“The impact of trying to build up our boys to be ‘men’, is that they usually feel more guilt than girls when they are sexually abused”: A one-on-one with Founder of SafeKids, Sara Aziz

When we raise our sons to be ‘tough’, we think we are giving them the tools to protect themselves from harm, but according to the founder of Safe, an organisation providing support…

A Girl’s Guide to Staying in Hostels

We’ve all heard the stories of a friend of a friend who had a bad experience in a hostel, leaving a lot of young women feeling too intimidated to use hostels when…

Lipton and Hany El-Dakkak’s mashup is a portrayal of how good deeds circulate!

You know you are in Egypt, when a total stranger offers you gum on the bus, initiates a conversation out of nowhere, or shares with you his life story without you even…

Save our Animal Shelters!: ESMA needs our help to stay open

As we all know, Cairo has an epidemic of street cats and dogs roaming freely around our neighbourhoods. The situations for many of these animals is dire, with food and water being…

The hauntings of tragedies past: A rape survivor shares his story

I was ten years old and living in a building with other family relatives and cousins. I used to be left alone with my older cousins a lot. They used to tell…

Girls around the world are pushed to succeed in their dreams, whilst we in Egypt are pushed to postpone ours!

From the moment she opens her eyes in the morning to the moment she closes them at night, her mind is full of thoughts. She never stops thinking about how and when…

For the love of travel and photography: A married couple roams the world together

Smashing the stereotype that marriage has to bring staticness, stability and stagnation, this traveling couple, Bassi and Amr Hamid, share with us their experiences of roaming the world and explain how having…

The story behind “Thakooba” and the ultimate Egyptian food cart experience

Located at the Courtyard Maadi, “Thakooba” is a food cart run by Farida Thakeb, a GUC Management Student. “It was never my dream to start a food business, but since I was…

Chillax Café upgrades menu to include 80’s products; Kata-Kito and Bimbo

Some things automatically generate a nostalgic feeling when we hear about them, let alone eat them. We might enjoy global food brands, but our tummies are inclined to crave the local ones…

Sisi finally appoints qualified Education Minister!

The recent Cabinet reshuffle has seen a number of new faces enter the inner sanctum of politics, including new Education Minister, Tarek Shawky. After only 16 months at the job, public criticism…

Cairokee’s guitarist, Sherif el Hawary hushes all rumors: “I am not a spaced out-drug addict, I just listen more than I talk”

In any Cairokee-interview you’ve come across, he’s the guy in the background listening rather than talking. This gave people an opportunity to make false assumptions about him; They’ve said that he is living…

ISLC’s Special Session: where young talents inspire!

Having a passion in life is extremely wonderful, and it is even more wonderful to use this passion to reach ultimate success and fulfill the greatest of dreams. At a young age,…

Trying to charm your special someone? Get Closer with Closeup!

We all have those embarrassing stories from when we have gone up to our crush and have tried to charm him with our wit or by sharing our interests, and for some…

2017 ‘The Year of the Women’: Only one year to right all the wrongs?

In a country in which the law itself is an enemy of women’s rights, I cannot begin to say how happy I am that the country is starting to realize the importance…

Designing a better world: Award-winning Graphic Designer, Ghada Wali, on empowerment through design

For 27 year old Ghada Wali, Graphic Design is more than just a career; it is a way of life, a force for change. As a pioneer in Egypt, Ghada is now…

“Dear Society, it is not a crime if I want to quit college.”: 4 responses you’ll get once you utter these words

Dearest Daddy, Mommy, Auntie Soad, neighbors, whisperers, doorman, and general society, you know who you are, Every day I wake up before the sun does, I hit the road and head to…

Rising Band “Arabish” opposes forced marriage in a song that breaks the internet

It is the best of both worlds; Arabish is a rising band that sings arabic songs to western melodies. Founded in 2015 by 35 year old engineer and guitarist Wael Nasr, this…

Kick Like A Girl: Meet the Female National Soccer Team!

Football tends to evoke a sense of unified happiness amongst Egyptians that reaches to immeasurable depths. We see it in the street celebrations after Egypt wins an important match, and we see…

Meet the Egyptian Woman who gave up Banking for a life of Traveling

After deciding to leave the world of banking, Omniya Fareed took a step not usually taken by Egyptian women and started exploring the globe as a travel blogger. From the UAE, a…

“It’s not always rainbows and butterflies”: Diaries of a wedding planner

Nope. It definitely isn’t always rainbows and butterflies. That was my first reality check when I started working as a wedding planner. Actually, the first reality check that hit me was in…

Egypt’s Most Effective Medicine: Prayer

A year or so ago, my Mother started using a book of old Celtic prayers. Early in the morning you can find her in our living room, and late at night in…

Into the Wild: A chat with Nora Kafafi, the founder of Rock & Rope

Nora Kafafi grew up in the wild, her childhood spent outdoors by the ravine next to her house. Years later, working as a project manager in a company helping start-ups grow, Nora…

Were we waiting for the Africa Cup of Nations to revive in us a sense of belonging?

Recently, most of us have been losing the sense of belonging to our country. Maybe it is due to the economic, political, and social problems that we face every day? Maybe because…

Award winning Caricaturist, Doaa El-Adl, recognized as one of the most influential women of 2016

This success story started with I want to be a caricaturist and ended with I am one of the 100 most influential women selected by the BBC for 2016. Except this isn’t…

Dear President Sisi, Egypt isn’t ‘very poor’!

Sisi’s recent speech calling Egypt ‘very poor’ has not been great for the country’s morale. With the price of the dollar soaring, taxes rising and subsidies being cut, it is easy to…

The Birth of an Advocate: Dr Hana Kassem and the Long Journey to Natural Birth

Even over the phone the gynaecologist and natural birth advocator, Dr Hana Kassem’s enthusiasm is infectious. As Dr Kassem tells us “You know, when you attend a birth and everything is natural…

Rescue App: The App that Could Help Egyptian Women Reclaim Their Streets

Three months ago 21 year old Shadw Osama received a call from her friend. “She was walking alone and there were some men following her. I was not able to help her…

Want to predict the gender of your baby? Try this Ancient Chinese Calendar

Have you ever wanted to predict the gender of your baby before an ultrasound can pick it up? Or even decide the gender of your baby by choosing when to get pregnant?…

With the rise of the dollar, here’s how to travel on $5-10 a day!

Traveling is one of the most beautiful adventures we can experience in our lives, but how can you afford it? When traveling most of us choose to stay at nice hotels, book…

Jam-packed with Talent: Tunisian ‘Mes Confits’ founder tells her success story

The friction of ideas, the passion that leads, the spark that follows, and delicious homemade jam can come together to create a successful business. Something we learned from our chat with entrepreneur…

Will taking off your veil bring back your confidence? Two girls share their story

That one piece of cotton is thought to not only hold your hair back but also your confidence, your sense of identity, your self-perception…but does it? There are an infinite number of…

Is Melania Really a Victim of a Global Patriarchal System?

On Friday, Donald Trump officially became the 45th President of the United States. For many, however, the focal point of the inauguration was not Trump but his wife, Melania. People on social…

Nelly Karim’s new film behind the online ‘Bashtery Ragel’ sperm donor campaign!

‘Bashtery Ragel’ (Buying a man), the internet controversy that has gripped our attention for the past few days, it has been revealed, has a whole new layer of drama and intrigue. The…

50 Countries and Counting: 20 year old Seif Tamer on being an Egyptian Abroad

Despite his age and his intensive medical studies, 20 year old Seif Tamer has already visited more countries that most of us will in our lifetimes. From a young age, travel has…

Female Entrepreneur Sets Up First Corn Shop in Dahab: A Chat with Nabila Radwan

When she was little, Nabila Radwan was given a silver corn pendant by her mother. It was to become a sort of talisman for, years later, Nabila is now the owner of…

‘Bashtery Ragel’: Controversy over an Egyptian woman’s online search for a Sperm Donor

Yesterday a Facebook page, ‘Bashtry Ragel’ (buying a man), was created by an unmarried 40-year old Egyptian woman expressing her desire to find a sperm donor in order to have a baby. On…

Speeding through Stereotypes: Egypt’s First Female Rally Racer, Yara Shalaby, shares her story

What was that again? Women can’t drive? They aren’t tough enough? Because a female racer telling us about how she rolled over twice in her car and continued driving in the same manner you’d…

It’s never too early to start taking care of yourself with InShape Clinic!

We all love looking nice and feeling beautiful, but no matter our age, our busy lifestyles can start to take their toll on our appearances- that’s where InShape Clinic comes in. Whether…

Wheelchair incident results in Uber publicly expressing their support for the differently-abled of Egypt

For wheelchair-users, moving around the city can be problematic, with public transport being pretty much completely inaccessible and useable pavements being a rarity. These are problems that one of our magazine cover…

Why Do We Wax?

On the way home from my first waxing experience in Cairo I saw a flayed carcass lying out in the street. I considered it quite an apt metaphor. The thing is I…

10 things most Egyptian parents don’t know about their childs’ psychology: A sit down with child psychologist Sherein El Rayess

As it is the small things that later shape the personalities of our children and determine their futures, we have to put great thought into them. However, sometimes we are led by…