In a powerful show of national and international collaboration, Egypt has officially launched a pioneering project aimed at strengthening the capabilities of national institutions in combating cybercrimes targeting women and girls. The initiative is led by the Ministry of Justice and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa, with strategic backing from the National Council for Women (NCW).
The launch event, held in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital over three days, was attended by high-ranking officials including Justice Minister Adnan Fanjari, Prosecutor General Mohamed Shawky Ayad, Dutch Ambassador Peter Mollema, and representatives from Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Interior, Administrative Control Authority, and Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Also in attendance were Kristina Albertín, UNODC Regional Representative, and Counselor Aml Ammar, Head of the NCW, whose keynote speech underscored the urgency of protecting women’s rights in digital spaces.
Combating Digital Violence: A New Frontier in the Fight for Gender Equality
Counselor Aml Ammar described the launch of the initiative as a “pivotal moment” in Egypt’s national strategy to ensure women’s safety in an increasingly digitized world. She emphasized the growing prevalence of online violence, including harassment, cyberbullying, blackmail, and privacy breaches — crimes that disproportionately target women and girls and deter them from participating in digital and public life.
National Commitment Aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030
Ammar lauded the Ministry of Justice for its role in enhancing digital justice and legislative reform, praising Minister Fanjari’s openness to multi-stakeholder collaboration. She also recognized the technical leadership of UNODC, under Kristina Albertín, for its continuous support in building national capacity to tackle emerging crimes.
She noted that the project aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women, approved by President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in 2017, which includes a pillar focused on protecting women from all forms of violence.
Protecting Women in the Digital Age
Ammar highlighted the council’s multifaceted efforts to combat digital violence, including:
- Publishing the “Women’s Safety Resource Guide” in partnership with Facebook.
- Launching the campaign “Speak Up… Protect Yourself and Others”, raising awareness about Egypt’s cybercrime laws.
- Conducting national studies in partnership with international organizations on the rise of online violence during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Supporting awareness-building under “Noura” and “Dawi” initiatives, championed by First Lady Entissar El-Sisi, in cooperation with UNICEF and UNFPA.
Ammar further praised the Women’s Complaints Office for its active role in providing legal and psychological support for victims, emphasizing that a safe digital environment is a basic right, not a luxury.
An Integrated Approach to Justice and Empowerment
Reaffirming the NCW’s full support for the initiative, Ammar stressed the need for a comprehensive, intersectional approach involving legal reform, awareness campaigns, digital literacy, and the empowerment of women with digital tools to defend themselves online.
