Meet Buthayna Kamel, Egypt's First Female Presidential Candidate

Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

According to NPR, Egypt is nominating a woman for the first time to run for president. Buthanyna Kamel, will officially be on the ballet later this year. 

From NPR: 

The 49-year-old talk show host turned presidential candidate is currently on the campaign trail. She recently held a town hall gathering outside the main library in Egypt's famous southern city of Luxor. Not long ago, a gathering for people to vent their frustrations about the government — let alone discuss Kamel's presidential aspirations — would have been impossible. In the past, only candidates approved by Mubarak and rubber-stamped by his Parliament could run. Egyptians were convinced Mubarak was grooming his son, Gamal, to take over once he retired.

This is such great news. Egyptian women played such a pivotal role in overthrowing Hosni Murbank, that I hope this is the first step, in many steps of improving women's rights in the country.