Egypt: Feminist Publishes Nude Photograph to “Express her Freedom”

It was late in the night, when Ahmed Awadalla, who works in the field of human rights, health, sexuality and gender posted the following tweet:

@3awadalla: A feminist #Jan25 revolutionary posted her nude photo on the internet to express her freedom. I'm totally taken back by her bravery!

At the time, he wasn't sure whether revealing her identity was a good or bad move, however he wanted to know people's reactions to the news. He asked:

@3awadalla: Ok, everybody wants to know who the girl is, but what do you really think of what she did? #NudePhotoRevolutionary

And as he expected, different reactions started to pour:

@abraralshammari: @3awadalla I think she really is brave. Nudity is natural and she's sending a message: abandon past notions of nudity being shameful.

@ReemElmeleegy: @3awadalla Bravery that will be misunderstood n taken for other intentions n maybe her cause will be tarnished too.

@ReemAwad: @3awadalla مش شايفاها شجاعة.. دي اسمها قلة حياء :)

@ReemAwad: @3awadalla I don't see it as bravery, but lack of modesty.

@Elna7as_Pasha: @ReemAwad @3awadalla قلة ادب ، جهل في معنى الحريه ، ولو نزلت الشارع كده يبقى تعدت على حريتي بمنظرها كده

@Elna7as_Pasha: @ReemAwad @3awadalla It's lack of modesty, and lack of understanding of what freedom is. If she went down to the street like this, I will consider it as infringement of my own freedom.

@SandraYacoub: @3awadalla I wouldn't do it & I can't help but think there r other ways 2 express freedom. Having said that, its her body..who r we 2 judge?

Awadalla then summed up people's reactions as some saw the posting the photograph as progressive and brave, while others said it was unaccepted and against religion. A third group was afraid that it might effect the revolutionaries image [Ar]. He also added:

“I know many are against what #NudePhotoRevolutionary did, but also so many dying to see the photo! :D”

Later on, the so called “Nude Photo Revolutionary” revealed her own identity.

@aliaaelmahdy: My name is Aliaa Elmahdy. I post under my real name #NudePhotoRevolutionary

According to her Twitter biography, Aliaa identifies herself as “Secular, Liberal, Feminist, Vegetarian and Individualist Egyptian”. She also wrote on her Facebook page that she was “echoing screams against the society of violence, racism, sexism, sexual harassment and hypocrisy”. It also emerged that she was the one who started the “Men Should Wear the Veil” event as an opposition to the women's head veil.

Her nude photo was published in her blog along with other nude photos of other people, and a cat! The blog can only be accessed if you agree to view adult content.