Women's rights... in Cairo metro

Something amazing happened today in metro!
I took the metro from Attaba station in Downtown to Dokki station in Dokki, 3 stops only. I had finished my work as a dancing ghost in El Dalia theatre and it was about 11 PM. In Cairo metro women and men are separated in the train by wagons, 4 middle wagons are ladies only. After 9 PM its all mixed, except for just one wagon that is strictly for women. That's the one I got into.

To my big surprize there were plenty of men in the girls only wagon. Then I noticed another foreigner talking or asking something from one egyptian guy, she then went to another guy. I thought she must need help or directions and approached her in english offering my help. She politely declined saying she is all-right. I then asked her what is she doing going from one guy to another. And her answer blow my mind...

"Im speaking to each and every one of them to ask them to leave, they have entered the wrong wagon and Im politely asking them to change". I could not believe what she was telling me. How brave, how smart, how inspirational! Not one of the egyptian ladies around us (and there were many) said anything to the men, but usually women ride women wagons to feel safe and willingly separated. Overcrowded buses or metros can be a hassle for women in Cairo. Egyptian women were all admiring her as she moved forward talking to speak with more guys. Station by station guys started leaving. By the time we reached Dokki station, the wagon was rightfully ladies only again. The egyptians were saluting her and came to offer her sweet biscuits. I stood next to her getting to know her because what she just did was the most inspirational thing Ive seen in a long time on streets.... woman fight for their right publicly...

Perfect end to a day!

Women's wagon in Cairo metro