Literature, Health Egypt
Description of Work:
El Saadawi attended the University of Cairo and graduated in 1955 with a degree in psychiatry. Professional Experience: Visiting Professor Duke University, 1993- 1996 University of Washington, Seatt1e, 1995 University of Illinois at Chicago, 1998, Florida Atlantic University 1999 Montclair State University 2001-2002 University of Southern Maine January to December 2003 University Autonoma at Barcelona Spain 2004 Smith College Northampton MASS. USA Autumn 2004 Claremont Graduate School , California USA Spring 2005 Head of Women’s Program in the UN – ECA, Addis Ababa, 1978-1979; UN -ECA, Beirut, 1978 -1980 Author in the Supreme Council for Arts and Social Sciences, Cairo, 1974 -1978 Director General of the Health Education Department, Ministry of Health, Cairo, 1966- 1972 Medical Doctor, University Hospital and Ministry of Health, 1955–1965 Activities: Founder and President, Arab Women's Solidarity Association (AWSA), 1982- Present Founder, Noon Magazine, 1989-1991 and Health Magazine 1968-1973 Co–Founder, Arab Association for Human Rights, 1983-1987 Founder Vice-President, African Association for Women on Research Development, Dakar, Senegal, 1977 -1987 President and Organizer, International Conference on the Challenges Facing Arab Women, Cairo, September, 1986, and other international conferences of AWSA, 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1997, 1999, 2002 and 2005 in Cairo. Founder, Health Education Association and Chief Editor, Health Magazine, Cairo, Egypt, 1968-1974 Founder, Egyptian Women Writer's Association, 1971 Secretary General of Medical Association, Cairo, Egypt. 1968-1972 Editor of Medical Association Magazine, 1968-1972 AWARDS Honorary Doctorate, University of York, United Kingdom, 1994 Honorary Doctorate, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1996 Honorary Doctorate, University of St. Andrews-Scotland, 1997 First Degree Decoration of the Republic of Libya, 1989 Literary Award of Gubran, (Arab Association of Australia Award), 1988 Literary Award by the Franco-Arab Friendship Association, Paris, France, 1982 Literary Award by the Supreme Council for Arts and Social Sciences, Cairo, Egypt, 1974 XV Premi International Catalunia Award, 2003 Honorary Doctorate Degree, University of Tromso, Norway, 2003 International Writer of the Year for 2003, nominated by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, England Great Minds of the 21st Century Award, American Biographical Institute, North Carolina , USA, 2003 North South Prize 2004, the Council of Europe (Lisbon, 25 October 2004 ) Inana International Prize , Brusselles Belgium 2005 Source:http://www.nawalsaadawi.net/bio.html
A feminist, Nawal El Saadawi was born in Kafr Tahla, a small village outside of Cairo. At the age of six years, El Saadawi was circumcised like many of her classmates during that time. From her personal experience at the age of six and her experiences as a doctor dealing with women and women's issues, El Saadawi has committed herself to activism. She fights for women's rights through her research, publications, and organizations.

Her first publication in 1972, Woman and Sex, dealt with the subject of women's sexuality, politics, and religion. Since her first publication, her books have focused on women, their sexuality, and legal status.

Soon after the release of Woman and Sex El Saadawi was dismissed from her post as the Ministry of Health and lost her position as chief Editor of Health, a health magazine she found, and as Assistant General Secretary in the Medical Association in Egypt.

She continued to write-her works have been translated into 30 languages-but was unable to find work in government due to her controversial beliefs. El Saadawi continues to be a prolific writer, publishing non-fiction, fiction, plays, and articles that are highly controversial leading to death threats and imprisonment.

In addition to writing El Saadawi has established several organizations dedicated to women's rights.





Resources:
http://www.webster.edu/~woolflm/saadawi.html
http://www.nawalsaadawi.net/bio.html