A video of popular Egyptian actress Shereen Reda making statements that powerfully challenge long-standing gender stereotypes affecting women across the Arab world is going viral on social media.
The statements were made by Reda during a live broadcast of this week's episode of Hona Al Assima, which is presented by Lamees Al Hadidi.
During her interview with Reda, Al Hadidi told the actress that people always ask, how a beautiful woman like her lives without a man, and she hilariously hit back saying:
"Maybe that's the reason why I am beautiful."
When the presenter pressed on with: "So you don't need a man in your life at all, not even emotionally?"
Reda said: "I really don't, and I don't believe in the traditional definition of love. It's an emotion you can get from so many people, your family friends, siblings, children, you don't need to get it from one person only."
Reda also shared her thoughts on marriage during the show, stressing that it isn't all what a woman should strive for.
"I believe not everyone is made for marriage; there are so many other things to be done in life. We keep telling women 'come on, get married, we want to see your children,' but this is an extremely outdated rhetoric. We have to progress."
When the presenter asked Reda if she hopes to see her daughter a bride one day, the actress responded, saying:
"No, I want to see her happy."
The interview is going viral online and people love it
"Good morning, I love Shireen Reda."