Reflections of an Early Egyptian Feminist in a Changing World: Malak Ḥifnī Nāṣif’s Positions on Women’s Wage Labour

This chapter focuses on the intersection of gender and labour history, reflecting on how early feminist sources can contribute to our understanding of labour in the Middle East. It does so by focusing on a speech by Malak Ḥifnī Nāṣif (1886-1918) on women's wage labour. The chapter begins with an overview of existing scholarship on gender and labour history in the Middle East, with a particular focus on Egypt. It then focuses on the life of Malak Ḥifnī Nāṣif before moving on to the specific speech that allows for an in-depth exploration of her approach to women’s wage labour. By analysing her perspective, the chapter represents a first step in bridging the gap between feminist sources and labour history