United States Agency for Global Media

Alhurra TV focuses on female empowerment

March 23, 2016

Springfield, Va. — Alhurra Television is launching a new program that puts the spotlight on successful Egyptian women making their mark on society. Sit B’Mit Ragel (Arabic for ‘A Lady is Worth 100 Men’) profiles four Egyptian women who are embarking on traditionally male-dominated jobs. They each talk about their unique journey into their careers, and the challenges they have faced trying to make inroads in Cairo’s tough business environment. The reality program delves into their relationships and dealings with colleagues, customers and families alike. A preview of the program can be seen here.

“Unfortunately, many of the stories you hear about women in Egypt have to do with the harassment and the exploitation of women. We wanted to do a program that showcases their successes. These are four engaging and entrepreneurial women who have taken charge of their future and serve as a role model to women around the world,” stated Brian Conniff, president of Middle East Broadcasting Networks (MBN). MBN manages and oversees Alhurra. “There are many strong women in Egypt, and Alhurra is one of the few media outlets where their stories can be told.”

The show focuses on four women with different socioeconomic and generational backgrounds.

• Reem is the owner of Pink Taxis in Cairo, a new taxi cab business that relies solely on female drivers and customers. Pink Taxi allows Egyptian women to have a taxi service they know will provide them a hassle free ride to wherever they are going. The business model will also employ women and provide them with skills and self-reliance.
• Aasma works as a carpenter along with her husband in a small family business. No job is too big or small for Aasma to tackle to the amazement of her family and friends. Her craftsmanship is sought after, though she fights against preconceived notions that women cannot be carpenters, by both men and women. Aasma and her husband Medhat live in a modern blended family.
• Heba and Nira are two sisters expanding their catering business for the first time to include bakery shops where Egyptians can come in and purchase their baked goods. Both women came from different careers before they started baking, Heba in interior design and Nira in public relations. The first shop they want to open is in the Zamalek district of Cairo.

Sit B’Mit Ragel is the latest Alhurra program to be based in Egypt; other shows include Hiwar Cairo, Street Pulse and Cairo serves as one of the main bureau of Alhurra’s flagship program Al Youm.  Sit B’Mit Ragel premieres on March 26^th and airs Saturdays at 10 p.m. (Cairo time). More information about the program can be found at https://www.facebook.com/setb100ragel.

Alhurra is operated by the non-profit corporation The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc. (MBN). MBN is financed by the U.S. government through a grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG), an independent federal agency.