Sexism

One of the most prevalent themes in this book is that of sexism as many of the events that transpire in Firdaus' life are a result of her being a woman. Nawal El Saadawi also experiences sexism which is detailed in the book. Saadawi is able to interview Firdaus because she is unemployed after being relieved from her functions as the Director of Health Education and the editor-in-chief of the magazine "Health" due to choosing the path of a feminist author and novelist whose perspectives are viewed unfavorably by the authorities. Firdaus' story evokes in Saadawi the need "to challenge and to overcome those forces that deprive human beings of their right to live, to love, and to real freedom" (p. iv); this obviously results from Firdaus' status as a woman since the story makes it evident that men's rights are not suppressed in the same way. As...