Women Vanguards
One can’t resist the sheer delight of reading literary works by Arab female writers and poets, who’ve captivated readers over centuries with their wit and imagination. Drawing on the rich tapestry of the region’s ancient civilisations, cultural heritage and history, they weave unforgettable literary works that capture gripping female narratives, navigating self-identity, family life, romantic relationships, career ambitions, social norms and politics.
The credit for the exceptional canon of literary works must go to an ever-expanding list of notable Arab female writers, who possess many talents and extraordinary energy, and have illuminated our minds and hearts with boundless inspiration.
Examples include Egyptian authors Radwa Ashour and Nawal El Saadawi, Syrian Ghada Al Samman, Shahad Al Rawi from Iraq, and Omani Jokha Alharthi. The UAE’s literary landscape abounds with women creatives, such as poet-author Amal Al Sahlawi, poet Nujoom Alghanem, authors Nadia Al Najjar and Amna Al Mansouri, poet-scholar Dr. Afra Atiq, and international children’s author Maitha Al Khayat.
Arab female writers serve as an intellectual and spirited council of advisors and role models. They’re part storytellers —conjuring up whimsical and fascinating tales that help us deal with the complex nuances and events of our lives— and part guides, who encourage self-reflection.
Reading their works helps us excavate reservoirs of strength to overcome our adversities. Their contribution is also an important education in certain aspects of Arab life, intellect, and culture spanning centuries, offering unique vignettes of bygone eras that capture our heritage and admirable progress.
To accelerate their foray into the publishing realm and support aspiring writers, it’s essential to organise regular and accessible creative writing courses and residencies at universities or cultural institutes, which can help them get familiar with genres like fiction, poetry and memoirs. Interestingly, some universities offer unique literary retreats in inspiring and picturesque settings, where students can attend professional lectures, readings and writing workshops.
The literary works of Arab female writers should be accessible to audiences across platforms, including school and public libraries, bookshops, book fairs and cafés. Promoting their literary works via magazine and newspaper features, interviews and blog posts is also important.
Publishers should consider converting their works into e-books and audiobooks and make them available digitally and on smart phone applications. Prominent literary festivals and book fairs should also recognise female writers and celebrate their work.
Arab women writers possess within them a world of tales. We should encourage these aspiring storytellers to share their literary genius with eager audiences.
Published in Villa 88 magazine – December 2022.
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