"The number of female DJs in the region has increased over the past ten years," Frederike Berje of the German Goethe Cultural Institute in Cairo told AFP.
A7ba-L-Jelly, DJ and producer, is one of the first female DJs to have created a collective of electro DJs, programming women and men from all social classes. This collective is called Jelly Zone, and A7ba-L-Jelly organises 100% harassment-free parties with it.
Following a similar logic, we find Dalia Hassan, a producer, who organises electro parties only for women.Hassan said she DJs at bachelorette parties, gender-segregated weddings and anywhere a female audience wants to "get dressed up and dance as they please". Having a woman at the turntables allows other women to let loose, "especially those who are veiled", she added (interview for Rfi).
Yas Meen Selectress, an Egyptian DJ living between Cairo and New York, admits that "there are fewer women than men in the business because of traditions, society and other factors" in Arab countries, where less than 20% of women are gainfully employed, a figure that has remained unchanged for the past 15 years according to the World Bank.
From New York to Tokyo, Dubai to Paris, audiences are increasingly swaying to Egyptian and Arab rhythms and lyrics. But while Egyptians continue to influence the global electronic scene, they struggle to perform for the 20 million people of Cairo.
"The biggest challenge for us is to find venues, as there are no or few dedicated spaces, we can't play our music" Yas Meen Selectress (AFP).
The Soundcloud of :
- Yas Meen Selectress: https://soundcloud.com/y-a-s-q-u-e-e-n
- A7ba L Jelly: https://soundcloud.com/a7baljelly
Photo: from left to right, DJs Funkyfelon (Palestine, Jordan), Yas Meen Seletress (Egypt) and Babagamoush. Copyrights @hnyosm (Hany Osman).