Mona Eltahawy is an award-winning Egyptian-American journalist and commentator on Arab and Muslim issues. Before moving to the U.S. in 2000, Eltahawy reported for various media from Egypt, Israel, Palestine, Libya, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and China. She wrote a weekly column for the Saudi-owned international Arab publication Asharq Al-Awsat before her articles were discontinued for being “too critical” of the Egyptian regime. Since the Arab Uprising, she has been featured prominently in broadcast and print for major networks such as ABC, CBS, PBS, HBO, and The New York Times. In November 2011, Eltahawy suffered a fractured arm and hand when she was detained and assaulted by the Egyptian military government amid renewed protests in Tahrir Square. In 2012, Newsweek magazine listed her as one of its “150 Fearless Women of 2012” and Arabian Business magazine listed her among the “100 Most Powerful Arab Women.” She received the Women’s Media Center Speaking Truth to Power Award in 2014. After writing a controversial column for Foreign Policy on widespread misogyny in the Middle East called “Why do they Hate Us?” she published a book based on the same topic called, “Headscarves and Hymens: Why the Middle East Needs a Sexual Revolution.” Today, Ethahawy has remained a steadfast and high profile advocate for Muslim women’s rights and equality in modern Arab society. Her most recent writings are available on her website, www.monaaltahawy.com.
