In Egypt, a concerning practice reminiscent of 19th-century debt imprisonment persists, disproportionately affecting women. Thousands of women annually fall victim to overwhelming debt, often incurred for essential life events like dowries or medical emergencies. Practices such as signing blank checks with inflated interest rates trap women in cycles of debt, leading to potential imprisonment. In 2021, an estimated 30,000 women were detained for debt, a number likely higher today. Nermine Al Bohteity, a former inmate, now leads the "Life Foundation" to support these women, providing shelter and legal education. Activists are campaigning for the abolition of imprisonment for debt, advocating for better financial literacy and legal counsel for vulnerable women.