Women's Entrepreneurship and Its Impact on Social Transformation in Egypt in the19th-Century

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Heliopolis University

2 Helwan University

10.21608/jaauth.2025.376726.1677

Abstract

this research explores women’s entrepreneurship in 19th-century Egypt, highlighting the role of women in driving social transformation through their active participation in various fields such as agriculture, crafts, trade, education, and healthcare. Women also held administrative positions, including managing endowments and tax collection systems, which contributed to enhancing their social and economic status. The study emphasizes the positive impact of formal education for girls and the establishment of both governmental and foreign schools, which empowered women intellectually and culturally, enabling them to integrate into public life. It also sheds light on the rise of the women’s press as a platform to voice women's issues and the role of cultural salons in shaping a conscious and influential female public opinion. Women’s contributions extended beyond economic and social spheres into politics, as they took part in protests and national movements, particularly during the ‘Urabi Revolution. The study confirms that this participation was not random but rather stemmed from growing awareness of the importance of women in nation-building. It concludes that women’s entrepreneurship was a vital component of Egypt’s modernization process, contributing to reshaping traditional gender roles and opening new opportunities for women in public life.

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