The news that a ship was blocking the Suez Canal for a time went around the world. There was a lot of laughter about it, but it also had serious consequences for freight transport around the world. And for one person it even became a personal matter.
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Marwa Elselehdar (29) is the first female Egyptian captain of a cargo ship. And when the news broke that a ship was blocked in the Suez Canal, she was blamed. That while she was working hundreds of miles away in Alexandria.
Rumors of Elselehdar’s involvement came from some screenshots shared on social media. It was supposedly a news article from Arab News, but the original title was changed. In reality, it was an article that the woman had collaborated on because she was the first female Egyptian captain. But the fake screenshot was eagerly shared on social media.
The woman told the BBC that she has no idea who started the rumors or why someone did it. “I feel like I’m being targeted because I’m a successful woman in this industry or because I’m Egyptian. I’m not sure, ”she said.
The bogus article was written in English and was therefore shared in other countries as well. “I tried so hard to contradict the article because it affects my reputation and all the efforts I’ve put in to get here.” But she also received a lot of positive comments and decided to focus on that. “And perhaps also important to say: I am now more famous than ever.”
Next month, Elselehdar will take her final exam to obtain the full title of captain. “My message to women who also want to work in the maritime sector is that you have to fight for what you love to do and don’t let the negativity influence you.”
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