Biography:
Soraya Bahgat is a Finnish-Egyptian social entrepreneur and women’s rights advocate who has made a significant impact in Egypt. Born in Finland to Egyptian parents, her family moved to Egypt when she was seven years old, providing her with a cross-cultural upbringing.
Bahgat’s defining moment came in 2012 when she founded Tahrir Bodyguard, a movement dedicated to protecting women from mob sexual assaults in Tahrir Square. While at her office and on her way to join the mass protests, she experienced a panic attack due to safety concerns amidst the ongoing assaults. Recognizing the power of Twitter, she immediately created an account and began tweeting safety tips and calls for volunteers. Within the first two hours, her account garnered over 600 followers, highlighting the pressing need for her initiative.
Bahgat assembled a core group of trusted individuals to lay the foundations of Tahrir Bodyguard and recruit volunteers. To ensure the safety and visibility of the volunteers, she purchased 200 uniforms consisting of construction helmets and neon vests. The group operated in two ways: proactive patrolling of Tahrir Square and its surrounding areas to protect women and identify potential assault zones, and direct engagement with mobs to free women being assaulted and provide them with medical assistance.
Initially, Bahgat remained anonymous, using a pseudonym during an interview with Gawker in December 2012. However, in February 2013, her name and occupation were revealed in a profile by the Associated Press, solidifying her role as a prominent advocate for women’s rights in Egypt.
During periods of downtime in Tahrir Square, Tahrir Bodyguard offered free self-defense classes for women, empowering them to claim the streets for themselves. Beyond her work with Tahrir Bodyguard, Bahgat actively contributes to women’s advocacy and community engagement efforts. She is a member of the Strategic Advisory Group of The Girl Generation, an Africa-led movement that aims to end female genital mutilation within a generation. Italian-Egyptian model, actress, and philanthropist Elisa Sednaoui considers Bahgat a friend and collaborator on her foundation’s website. Additionally, Soraya became a trustee of a nonprofit organization focused on promoting creative learning through after-school programs for disadvantaged youngsters in Egypt and other countries.
Bahgat’s commitment to women’s rights and her fearlessness in confronting societal challenges has gained recognition both nationally and internationally. Her efforts, along with the Tahrir Bodyguard team, were featured in a documentary by French journalist Sonia Dridi titled Sexual harassment, an Egyptian disease. This documentary shed light on the experiences and struggles faced by Egyptian activists.
In conclusion, Soraya Bahgat’s work as a social entrepreneur and women’s rights advocate reflects her deep-rooted commitment to fighting for equality and safety for women in Egypt. Through her initiatives such as Tahrir Bodyguard, she has made a lasting impact on society, empowering women and challenging societal norms.