Egyptian Feminist writer, Nawal El-Saadawi, is set to be honoured at the Sharm El-Sheikh Arab & European Film Festival next month. The organisers of the event, which is due to be held from March 5th to 7th in the resort city, will pay tribute to El-Saadawi for her advocacy of human rights, and women’s rights in particular.

El-Saadawi is known for her feminist activism, which she often displayed in her novels. She has penned nearly 40 books, translated into over 30 languages.

Her best known works include 1972's Woman & Sex, which sparked fury among the political and religious establishment when it hit the shelves. The non-fiction title sparked so much controversy at the time that she was fired from her day job at the Ministry of Health.

The psychiatrist’s written works often center on women in Islam and are known for breaking the taboo of discussing subjects like female genital mutilation.

She was jailed under former Preisdent Sadat, spent time in exile and even faced a string of lawsuits accusing her of blasphemy and 'wrecking marriages'.

The writer will be honored as part of the three day festival, which plans to screen movies from Egypt and around the world. You can find out more about the festival here.
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By Conor Sheils