Author of more than 50 novels, a strong threat of activism runs through the works of Nawal El Saadawi. After undergoing female circumcision at an early age, she campaigned against the practive, resulting in her losing her position as director general of public health. Her books cover controversial issues such as domestic abuse. El Saadawi considered running for the Egyptian presidency in 2005, before deciding against it, and appeared in Tahrir Square during this year’s protests.