Nour Emam

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Nour Emam is an Egyptian technology entrepreneur, doula and reproductive health activist.

Biography

Nour Emam's journey into reproductive health advocacy was deeply personal. Following the birth of her daughter, she experienced a medically unnecessary C-section. Subsequently, Emam suffered from postpartum depression and PTSD, conditions that went undiagnosed for a significant period of eight months. [1] This challenging experience became a catalyst for her activism in the realm of sexual and reproductive health, topics often considered taboo and shrouded in silence within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. [2] [3] Driven by her own experiences and a desire to support other women, she pursued extensive training to become a doula, spending five months in Canada to acquire the necessary skills. Furthermore, recognizing the critical need for understanding and managing mental health challenges during the postpartum period, she studied the complexities of postpartum depression in Britain. [4]

In January 2020, Emam channeled her passion and expertise into tangible action by founding MotherBeing, a Cairo based [5] fem-tech (female technology) company. As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), she has steered MotherBeing to become a prominent and influential platform for providing crucial sex education and fostering open discussions about reproductive health across the Arab world. [6] Emam's commitment to raising awareness and dispelling misinformation extends beyond her company's platform. She has actively engaged in public discourse, including a notable appearance on a 2025 episode of The Egyptian Streets podcast. During this discussion, she addressed prevalent misconceptions surrounding sexual health and worked to debunk deeply ingrained, often harmful, traditional beliefs. [7]

Her impactful work and unwavering dedication to empowering women through education and open dialogue were recognized on a global scale when she was named a BBC 100 Women in 2024. [2] [4] This prestigious recognition highlights her significant contributions to breaking down societal barriers and promoting essential conversations around women's health in the Middle East and beyond.

References

  1. "Mother Being: Breaking taboos around sex education, reproductive health in Egypt - Health - Life & Style". Ahram Online. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  2. 1 2 "BBC 100 Women 2024: Who is on the list this year? - BBC News". News. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  3. "Normalising conversation about Arab women's sexual health led to threats and challenges, Motherbeing co-founder says". Middle East Monitor. 19 March 2023. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  4. 1 2 "BBC recognizes Nour Emam of Egypt's MotherBeing for empowering women - Health - Life & Style". Ahram Online. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  5. Kamel, Deena. "Generation Start-up: Mother Being destigmatises reproductive health to empower women". The National. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  6. El-Naggar, Mona; Aridi, Sara (18 November 2021). "Sex Ed, One Instagram Post at a Time". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  7. Morsi, Noran (7 March 2021). "Podcast: Nour Emam Revolutionizes Sex-Ed in Egypt". Egyptian Streets. Retrieved 7 March 2025.