Anissa Hassouna

In 2019, Hassouna suggested that current Prime Minister, Mostafa Madbouly, create a law that would ban the use of plastic bags. Along with House of Representatives member, Tarek Metwali, they agreed that plastic bags harm coral reefs and marine life. In 2019, Egypt banned throwing plastic bags on Hurghada's beaches, but Hassouna suggested more needed to be done to protect the beaches and wildlife living there, along with advising the public about the dangers of plastic bags.

Not only does Hassouna focus on women's rights, she also spoke about rights for children. In 2018, Hassouna requested the Egyptian parliament create playgrounds for children, free of charge for every district. She focused on the impact of children's learning and development through playgrounds and toys.

In 2017, Hassouna was diagnosed with cancer. Receiving treatment in Germany, she underwent a surgery that had a ten-day recovery period. After suffering severe side effects, Hassouna ended up spending 42 days at the hospital. After the surgery, Hassouna also received chemotherapy and radiation therapy, but was not fully cured.

In 2016, Hassouna was appointed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to the Egyptian parliament. As a member of parliament, she advocated for basic human rights for Egyptian citizens, free religious speech and sermons, and reforms within education and culture.

In 2014, Arabian Business and CEO Middle East Magazine named Hassouna one of the World's 100 Most Powerful Arab Women. Her bestselling memoir, Bedoon Sabeq Enzar (Without Prior Warning), describes her recurrent battle with cancer. Her book inspired many readers throughout the Middle East and motivated her to speak on World Cancer Day 2018, reminding individuals that cancer is an emotional and psychological battle, as well as a medical one.

Anissa Hassouna began her career in 2009 when she joined the Magdi Yacoub Foundation and became the executive-director. The Magdi Yacoub Global Heart Foundation was founded in 2008 and provides free cardiac care to children in Egypt and the broader Middle East and Africa. After holding her position for seven years, Hassouna left in 2016 to serve as a member of the Egyptian Parliament.

Anissa Hassouna (22 January 1953 – 13 March 2022) was an Egyptian politician who was a member of the Egyptian Parliament. Hassouna served as secretary-general of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs and executive-director of the Magdi Yacoub Foundation. She graduated from Cairo University with a degree in political science and lived in Cairo, Egypt.

Anissa Hassouna was born in 1953 in Cairo, Egypt. As a child she first attended the Coptic Church school in Asyut, then a school in Beni Suef, and ended prep school in Port Said, all government schooling. Finishing school in Cairo, she placed sixth on the final exam for the republic.