Egyptian media figure Radwa El-Sherbiny has responded to a history teacher who compared her to early women’s rights figures Hoda Shaarawi and Safia Zaghloul during a private tutoring session on October 7, 2026, stating that she considers the comparison an honor rather than an insult.
An online controversy erupted after footage from a private tutoring session circulated widely across social media platforms in Egypt. In the recorded lecture, history teacher Ashraf Gaber addressed the historical figures associated with the women’s liberation movement, directing sharp criticism at both Hoda Shaarawi and Safia Zaghloul before drawing a parallel to the modern media personality.
Ashraf Gaber Criticizes Hoda Shaarawi, Safia Zaghloul, and Radwa El-Sherbiny in Tutoring Lecture
During his lecture to students, Gaber used critical language regarding the historical trajectory of women’s rights in the country and the classroom discussion focused on societal changes. Gaber directly criticized the two prominent early activists in recorded remarks captured on video.
I swear to God, Safia Zaghloul and Hoda Shaarawi, may God hold them accountable. They are the feminists of their generation. Have you seen Radwa El-Sherbiny? They are the worst level.
Ashraf Gaber, history teacher, via Egypttelegraph
The teacher continued his lecture by addressing historical protests and changes in traditional dress codes, asserting that the activists had encouraged women to leave their homes and participate in public life. He argued that public participation disrupted traditional family structures, linking the removal of the traditional face veil, or biasha, to societal changes in Tahrir Square.
Radwa El-Sherbiny Responds on Facebook to the Tutoring Video Comparison
In response to the circulating recording, El-Sherbiny published a formal statement on her official Facebook account to address the commentary directly. She rejected the framing used in the classroom lecture while emphasizing her respect for the historical figures mentioned.
If my comparison to Hoda Shaarawi and Safia Zaghloul is intended as an insult, I actually consider it an honor and not an insult.
Radwa El-Sherbiny, media figure, via Masrawy
El-Sherbiny stated that using her name to belittle Egyptian women and historical icons extends beyond her personally into a conversation about women’s societal contributions.
She defended the role of women in national development and education.
The Egyptian woman went out to learn, work, raise generations, and participate in building her country, not for someone to bestow a favor upon her for her right to exist.
Radwa El-Sherbiny, media figure, via Masrawy
She further addressed specific assertions made in the lesson regarding changes in women’s attire and public presence, noting that such commentary does not constitute a valid historical perspective or a justification for minimizing women. El-Sherbiny also clarified her stance on personal autonomy, emphasizing that advocating for women’s rights does not equate to opposing men or undermining family stability.
Public Division Arises Over Tutoring Remarks
The video divided observers into opposing viewpoints regarding classroom discourse and historical interpretation. Some users argued that Gaber expressed a personal perspective that should not be presented to students in an instructional setting, while others defended his remarks as historical commentary open to discussion.
In response to the circulating content on October 7, 2026, members of the public called upon the Ministry of Education and Technical Education to investigate the circumstances surrounding the video and take appropriate administrative action if rule violations are confirmed.