Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, , held a meeting with Counselor Amal Ammar, Chairperson of the National Council for Women, to discuss ongoing efforts and strategic initiatives aimed at empowering Egyptian women. The meeting underscored the government’s commitment to advancing women’s roles in the country’s socio-economic development, in alignment with Egypt’s National Strategy for Women’s Empowerment 2030.
Dr. Al-Mashat extended her congratulations to Counselor Ammar on her recent appointment as Chairperson of the National Council for Women, emphasizing that women’s economic, social, and political empowerment is a cornerstone of Egypt’s national development agenda, as outlined in the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.
Strengthening Women’s Empowerment through National Initiatives
During the meeting, Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the government’s ongoing support for women through various initiatives, particularly the “Decent Life” (Hayah Karima) project. She explained that the initiative is designed to uplift women in rural areas by improving access to essential services such as education, healthcare, sanitation, housing, and employment opportunities. The project has been recognized globally for its human-centric approach to poverty reduction, with a strong emphasis on addressing regional disparities. Notably, 68% of the project’s funding is allocated to Upper Egypt, benefiting 61% of the project’s total beneficiaries.
Additionally, Dr. Al-Mashat discussed the National Family Development Project, which promotes the well-being of Egyptian families, particularly women, through a comprehensive set of social, health, and economic initiatives. The project aims to economically empower women by providing financial and non-financial services, along with training programs for employment. The Ministry of Planning has allocated EGP 2 billion to support the project, in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and the National Council for Women.
Integrating Women into Climate Change and Environmental Initiatives
Dr. Al-Mashat also addressed the government’s efforts to integrate women into climate change-related projects. As part of the National Green Smart Projects initiative, specific provisions have been made for women-led development projects. Furthermore, the Government Excellence Award has introduced a special category for “Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment” to foster work environments conducive to women’s advancement in public institutions.
The economic empowerment of women is also a priority in Egypt’s international collaborations. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that a range of programs are directly targeting women’s empowerment, with particular focus on sectors such as water, agriculture, and rural development. Notable partnerships include the Women’s Economic and Social Empowerment Program with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Gender Gap Closure Initiative, developed in collaboration with the World Economic Forum.
Counselor Amal Ammar: Acknowledging Progress and Setting Future Goals
Counselor Amal Ammar expressed her appreciation for the Ministry of Planning’s efforts in advancing women’s empowerment, noting the strong collaboration between her council and the ministry. She emphasized that Egypt is currently experiencing a “golden era” for women, owing to the political leadership’s unwavering commitment to gender equality.
Ammar pointed out that Egyptian women have made significant strides over the past few years, thanks to the government’s robust support for women’s rights and the strategic initiatives launched to enhance their participation in national development. She also commended the role of the National Council for Women in spearheading several initiatives aimed at building women’s capacities and integrating them into the broader development framework.
One such initiative, the “Empower” program, is a joint venture between the National Council for Women, the United Nations, the European Union, and other international partners. The program seeks to strengthen the capabilities of women and girls, raise awareness on gender-related issues, and highlight the protection services available to women.
Public-Private Sector Collaboration for Women’s Economic Empowerment
The meeting also focused on the “Gender Gap Closure Incentive” program, a collaboration between the Ministry of Planning, the National Council for Women, and the World Economic Forum, with the private sector. This initiative aims to create a model for cooperation between government, private sector entities, international organizations, and civil society to enhance efforts toward empowering women economically. The program’s framework will be further expanded to involve more companies, with incentives for businesses to adopt gender-responsive policies that support women’s empowerment.
