Egypt’s political and cultural elite gathered in Cairo to mark the launch of “A Woman from Upper Egypt,” the memoir of veteran diplomat Mervat Tallawy, a book that chronicles decades of public service across diplomacy, social policy and women’s leadership.
Published by Nahdet Misr, the memoir offers a personal account of Tallawy’s rise from Upper Egypt to senior diplomatic posts, including her tenure as Egypt’s ambassador to Japan and her leadership of national institutions during pivotal political periods.
Among the attendees were Maya Morsy, Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity; former Planning and Economic Development Minister Hala El Saeed; Chair of the National Council for Women Amal Ammar; and Dalia Ibrahim, Chairperson of Nahdet Misr Publishing House.
A Political and Personal Chronicle
In the book, Tallawy recounts her experience within Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, her work at the Ministry of Social Affairs, and her leadership of the National Council for Women during sensitive transitional years. The memoir also reflects on her engagement in international forums, including work connected to the United Nations, and her long-standing advocacy for women’s rights in Egypt and the Arab world.
Rather than offering a purely institutional history, the narrative interweaves policy milestones with personal reflection — detailing negotiations, internal debates and the challenges of decision-making at moments of national change.
“More Than a Memoir”
Speaking at the event, Amal Ammar described the book as more than a chronological recounting of events.
“It is a living testimony to a history of giving and an inspiring journey,” she said, framing the memoir as a resource for younger generations seeking models of public leadership.
Ammar also announced that the National Council for Women intends to produce a documentary film highlighting key milestones in Tallawy’s career. The project is expected to be screened during the upcoming Aswan International Women Film Festival in April. A radio drama inspired by the memoir is also under consideration.
Preserving Institutional Memory
Diplomatic memoirs remain relatively uncommon in Egypt’s publishing landscape, making “A Woman from Upper Egypt” a notable addition to the documentation of the country’s modern political and diplomatic history.
For readers, the book serves both as personal testimony and as a record of Egypt’s evolving engagement with global institutions and domestic reform efforts — seen through the lens of one of its most prominent female diplomats.
With its publication, Tallawy’s account moves from private experience to public archive, offering insight into the intersections of diplomacy, governance and women’s empowerment over several decades of Egyptian public life.
