Why Did This Egyptian Mother Live As A Man For 5 Years?

by Ruby NitzbergIn order to provide for her family, Bahia Slaiman dressed as a man for five years.When her husband suffered a debilitating injury, Slaiman found it hard to find work in Egypt. But when she changed her first name to Bakar and began passing for male, she was able to work as a tuk-tuk driver and a construction worker.Job prospects are dim for women in many Middle Eastern societies. In Egypt, most women are expected to marry young and stay at home, which leaves 47 percent of Egyptian women unemployed.Slaiman now hopes to open a small business so she can go back to living as a woman.
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