Every experience is a contribution to creating a well-rounded person. Like pieces to a puzzle; every puzzle piece is a unique component that will eventually create a bigger, complete picture. Exploring different cultures has taught me this outlook, where two different things can be related and eventually put together. For example, yesterday at work, the interns were given a lecture about diversity in the workplace, emphasizing the changing role of women. The CEO of the company, Bob Kelly, was thrilled to see the number of young women present in the audience. He did mention, however, the higher positions within the company are still male dominated. Even though higher management is currently not occupied by women, it got me thinking how fortune I am to have a CEO who is grateful and accepting of women wishing to pursue a career on Wall Street, and who is actively making the effort to break the cycle.
A narrow-minded perspective may be that this isn't fair, that more women should be promoted to the powerful positions. But, from my experience in Egypt, the United States provides a haven of opportunity for women seeking to climb the corporate ladder. In Cairo, an inequality between men and women is still enforced both from a career and a social perspective. There, I met a twenty-four year old Egyptian journalist named Mohamed Abdelbaky, who writes for the local newspaper and the BBC. I had the privilege of getting to know him quite well. When sitting down and speaking to him, I surprised him by saying that the women’s role in the U.S. is rapidly reforming, like choosing to get married later in life, opting not to have children, and/or starting a family in their thirties and forties. Mouth agape, he could not comprehend this, for this was incredibly unheard of in Egyptian culture. I’m making an educated guess that this liberal practice is unimaginable in Egypt or that a society was even capable of accomplishing this sort of progressive feat.
I witnessed this huge societal difference first handedly. Egyptian women are not encouraged to get a job, but to simply marry young and start a family immediately. Their role in the family is to stay at home and be responsible for the house and the children, while their husband is the primary breadwinner. Moreover, Egyptians place a huge importance on religion, and I had the opportunity to visit many mosques, where men and women are separated to pray. They must enter in separate entrances, where once inside, a wall divides them so they cannot see each other. Even at a Christian church I went to in Alexandria, men and women are required to sit on different sides.
Today, Muslim women are still required to wear head coverings in public. Their bodies also must be covered, depending on the specific religious practice, from the neck down with exposure of the hands and face only. I experienced this when I went to a mosque in Cairo, where immediately upon walking in, I was handed a long green gown made out of polyester, equipped with a hood that I had to wear the entire time. I was so hot I thought I was going to pass out! Furthermore, Saudi Arabian women are also required to wear a full body covering, with only the eyes exposed. Yes, that includes hands, feet, and face, even in the sweltering Egyptian sun. Below are pictures I took of women seen in full dress at the Giza pyramids.
My observations in Egypt sparked a life-altering view of the United States. Realizing the freedoms we have available to us, it ignited a profound nationalism for my country I have never felt before. I wish I could write about everything I experienced and saw in Egypt, but I think it will be more out of the ordinary to blog about my daily encounters in the business world, and how it relates to my international travels. Since I will be working at the bank until August 14, I will have many more stories and insights to share with everyone. Hopefully, something will spark my interest soon and inspire me so I can get my next post up as quick as possible.
