“First Feminist Perspective by Leila Ahmed”

Feminist movement grows and develops when the rights of the individual in obtaining freedom given facility by the opening of the mass media and the emergence of social movement groups are demanding their rights as women. The presence of this movement can not be separated from the structure of the class , which always puts women as subordinate because of patriarchy.  But who actually started the feminist movement? Where did feminism come from? In the Western where liberalism and democracy were born ? or of the third world, where ethnic and religious traditions are strong and also a place where western colonialism grow? Leila Ahmed would explain the origin of feminists come in this article titled The First Feminist.

In the article written by Leila Ahmed explains the origins of the emergence of feminist history that is based on the phenomenon in the Middle East. When the Egypt situation under Western colonialism of United Kingdom.  This influences ranging from class differentiation within Egyptian society that was formed by the British government. The British rule provides several advantages for Egypt, mainly to provide facilities and to benefit the landlords and farmers, but

"Although Egypt has material prosperity, political control of the exclusive British : British officials hold all key administrative positions and fill the top ranks of the civil service " ( p.170 ).

This situation encourages people to "move" in the direction . They demand their rights, together they fight against colonial domination. Increasingly, demand control of upper Egypt in government and politics, and then by the time, spread to the educational demands. And at the time, it appears if the formation of political parties in Egypt demanding independence from British rule .

However, the birth of such events can not be separated from the existence of women. The author reveals that in the struggle has been to improve the position of women in society. This is supported by the ability of women motivated by educational background and activities of women who are consistently active in social organizations to fight for women's rights. Not only in the social context of the community, recognized the existence of women's roles, but also in the political influence of women also began to be taken into account. So with the activity of women in the political sphere, what is expected to be the rights and needs of women are met. This seems in line with the concept of the politics of presence proposed by Ann Phillips in which the representation of identity and collective experience. Focus on perspective and evoked responses from a specific experience. So that individuals who represent the interests of Egyptian women are not only the messenger, but the message itself.  Increased activity of women in the public sphere is then bridged the formation of feminism, especially in Egypt. Nevertheless, the question arises as to whether feminism was born is always due to discrimination against women ? And how feminist can flourish in the midst of the social and religious context of the local community who regard women as a housekeeper ? It is unfortunate , Leila Ahmed discuss the issue less .