Her Story ... Feminist & Activist
XI. Storming of Parliament
Milestones:
1951 historic storming of Egyptian parliament
Bill submitted on women's representation and right to vote
On February 19, 1951, Doria, with nearly 1,500 women by her side, stormed the Egyptian parliament. Four hours of demonstrations followed until the President of the Senate received Doria and her supporters and promised the ladies that their demands would receive immediate attention. Those demands included granting women the right to vote and to run for parliament, allowing women to participate in the national struggle for independence and in politics in general, to have the personal status laws reformed by setting limitations on polygamy and divorce and equal pay for equal work. One week after this groundbreaking public protest, a bill was submitted amending the electoral law granting women the right to vote and the right to run for parliament. However the Prime Minister, Nahas Pasha, reneged on an oral promise to shepherd the bill through parliament.
