A joint delegation from the National Council for Women (NCW) and UN Women Egypt, accompanied by representatives from the Canadian Embassy in Cairo, paid an official visit to Alexandria to meet with participants of the “Rabha” program, an initiative designed to empower Egyptian women economically and professionally.
The visit took place as part of Canada Day celebrations organized by the Embassy of Canada in Egypt and reaffirmed the strong partnership between Egypt, the United Nations, and Canada in advancing gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, and sustainable development, in alignment with Egypt’s Vision 2030.
The delegation included H.E. Ulric Shannon, Ambassador of Canada to Egypt; Ms. Marwa Alam El-Din, Acting Country Representative of UN Women Egypt; and Ms. Nora Raef, “Rabha” Program Manager at UN Women Egypt.
Empowering Egyptian Women Through Entrepreneurship
During the visit, the delegation toured a leather goods workshop established by Suzan Gamal, one of the program’s beneficiaries. Suzan shared her journey of transformation through “Rabha,” highlighting how training in entrepreneurship and business management enabled her to scale her operations and achieve financial independence.
Amb. Shannon praised Suzan’s success, noting that “It is deeply inspiring to witness the achievements of women like Suzan Gamal. The Rabha program has created real, lasting impact — not just for individuals, but for communities and entire industries. Canada is proud to partner with UN Women and local organizations to support visionary, resilient women who are transforming Egypt’s economy.”
Inspiring Stories of Growth and Resilience
The visit also featured an interactive discussion session at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina with several women entrepreneurs and job seekers participating in the “Rabha” program. The participants shared their success stories, challenges, and lessons learned, emphasizing how the program enhanced their skills, employability, and business development capabilities.
Ms. Marwa Alam El-Din, Acting Country Representative of UN Women Egypt, noted that:
“Since its launch in 2020, the Rabha program has supported more than 10,000 women across seven Egyptian governorates, providing access to entrepreneurship training, job opportunities, and sustainable growth pathways.”
Rabha: A Model for Inclusive and Sustainable Growth
Implemented jointly by UN Women and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), in partnership with the National Council for Women, Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise Development Agency (MSMEDA), the Rabha program operates in Cairo, Giza, Beheira, Alexandria, Fayoum, Beni Suef, and Minya.
Funded by the Government of Canada, the initiative provides tailored capacity-building services for women entrepreneurs, job seekers, and private sector stakeholders. Its goal is to foster inclusive growth, strengthen female participation in the labor market, and support Egypt’s national digital and economic transformation goals.
