26 age had set. Guenena and Wassef mention that in the 1920s the government set a
minimum marriage age which are sixteen years old for girls and eighteen years old for boys 23. Meanwhile, many Egyptian parents ask their daughters to marry on
early age. Marriage at a young age may bring a bad impact on the girls especially when they give birth on their early ages. It may be very harmful for their
reproduction system and cause death to them as well 23.
2.3.4.1.2 Egyptian Women and Education
Egyptian law has allowed both men and women to get a free education. During the 1950s, large numbers of women were allowed to get university degrees.
The large number of women graduated from university at that time was appropriate to the commitment of the post-1952 revolutionary government, which was
education for the general population. Despite the official commitment to the education for general population, the differentiation between the educational status
of men and women still occurs. The rising conservatism in Egypt today is at play in changing the nature of the commitment to girls’ education. Education is purposed
to enhance womens roles as wives and mothers, as reflected in the official school curriculum. The chance of women to enter the university is also lesser than men.
Guenena and Wassef 33. This condition is in agreement with Pendergast and McGregor statement that in a patriarchal society, mens domination exists in the
political, economic, or educational system 3.
2.3.4.1.3 Egyptian Women and the Work Place
Traditionally, in Egypt men are responsible for supporting the family. Only very poor or very wealthy women work to support their family. After the 1952
revolution, opportunities for women to work were opened. Article 14 of the
PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
27 Egyptian Constitution of 1971 gives all citizens equal chance to work regardless on
their gender. The protection upon women worker was also provided. Law 137 of 1981 allows women to work at night as long as the protection provided is enough
for them Guenena and Wassef 35. Despite the freedom to work and the protection upon them, the different treatments between men and women in working still occur.
Women’s participation on working is limited by womens responsibility of domestic tasks. The lacking of women’s education also limits their participation in working.
As the result of their lack education, most of these jobs give them low wages. Womens wages in Egypt are lower than men even though they work on the same
job Guenena and Wassef 36.
2.3.4.1.4 Egyptian Women and Politics
