Mai Gamal was an Egyptian feminist activist and researcher who dedicated her life to defending women’s rights and opposing gender-based violence. She, along with her husband and family, lost her life on November 2, 2023, in an Israeli bombing of Sheikh Radwan in Gaza City. She left behind a legacy of tireless work and feminist struggle that inspired many.

Born in 1988, Mai graduated from the Faculty of Law at Ain Shams University, continued her graduate studies in international law at Cairo University, and obtained a diploma in business administration from the American University in Cairo. She was a co-founder of ‘Edraak for Development and Equality,’ worked as a digital content manager, and played a pivotal role in establishing the Gender-Based Violence Crimes Observatory. She then became the director of the support and advocacy unit at the foundation. Mai’s activities and experience extended further, working as a researcher at the Tadween Center for Gender Studies, and collaborating as a researcher and voice performer with various civil society organizations and local and regional networks, such as the Arab Network for Civil Society for Women and the Sexuality Forum.

Mai had always dreamed of enhancing and developing feminist research and supporting young female researchers, a dream that this award honors, in recognition of her contributions to advocating for women’s rights.