She grew up with eight brothers and sisters in a traditional family who had her circumcised at the age of six. Saadawi was born in 1931, in a small village of Kafr Tahla just outside of Cairo. However, Saadawi was not always so different in her beliefs and lifestyle. Saadawi is known as one of the most widely translated Egyptian writers, with works known in over 12 different languages. She still continues her activist movements for women rights, emphasizing the effects of rape, domestic violence, prostitution, and religious fundamentalism. Trained as a doctor, worked as a psychiatrist, then as a university lecturer, and on top of all these successes has written over 50 novels, short stories and plays, also been imprisoned for her political beliefs. At the age of 79, she is considered to be one of the few writers that “grows more angry with age, rather than milder.” By deciding to live as much as she can, Saadawi has been exposed to more life experience than any one can imagine. “Decide not to die young, but live as much as I can.” is Nawal El Saadawi’s response when asked if she could be any more radical with her activism.
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