How divorced women live in Egypt and their peculiarities

25 years ago, the first village in Egypt was opened where only women can live – divorced or widowed. On the one hand, in Al-Samakh they can get a roof over their heads and the opportunity to work.

But on the other hand, they have to survive in harsh conditions. Let’s talk about life in a village where men are not allowed.

In Egypt, after a divorce or the death of a husband, women are often left with virtually no means of support. Women make up the majority of the country’s unemployed population: a 2015 study showed that 25.8 percent of women are unemployed. Meanwhile, men in this country are three times less likely to face unemployment. In addition, the social stigma associated with divorce and the lack of male guardianship is deeply rooted in Egyptian society. Divorced women are looked down upon and often avoided.