For advancing women’s representation in Egypt’s Senate has elected Dr. Sahar Nasr and Dr. Amani Fakher as Deputy Chairs of the Economic and Financial Affairs Committee. The committee will be chaired by Senator Ahmed Abou Hashima, with Ashraf Abdel Ghany serving as secretary.
Both Nasr and Fakher bring exceptional expertise in economics, investment, and fiscal reform — fields historically dominated by men across the Middle East and North Africa.
A Track Record of Economic Leadership
Dr. Sahar Nasr, one of Egypt’s most respected female economists, previously served as Minister of Investment and International Cooperation, where she championed structural reforms that expanded Egypt’s investment climate and strengthened ties with the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. Her new Senate role reinforces her continued influence in shaping Egypt’s long-term economic agenda.
Dr. Amani Fakher, a professor and economic policy specialist, has devoted her career to studying macroeconomic resilience, labor dynamics, and sustainable development. Her appointment signals a growing institutional embrace of evidence-based policymaking within Egypt’s parliamentary ecosystem.
Women in Egypt’s Political Landscape
Under Egypt’s Senate bylaws (Law No. 2 of 2021), each of the 14 specialized committees elects a president, two deputies, and a secretary at the start of each legislative term. Women remain underrepresented in these posts, but the ascent of Nasr and Fakher marks a visible step toward a more inclusive political framework.
Their election aligns with the objectives of Egypt’s National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030, an initiative launched under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to ensure women occupy at least 30 percent of leadership positions across government and legislative institutions.
Economic Vision with a Gender Lens
Analysts say both Nasr and Fakher are poised to shape policy debates on investment frameworks, financial inclusion, and private sector development, while advocating for economic programs that benefit women and youth.
“Having two women at the top of such a pivotal committee is not only symbolic — it’s strategic,” said a political science professor at Cairo University. “They represent a generation of female economists who combine academic rigor with hands-on policymaking experience.”
Their leadership also reflects a broader regional trend: across the Middle East, women are increasingly stepping into senior economic and financial roles, helping craft more inclusive and sustainable growth models.
A New Chapter for Women in Power
With Sahar Nasr and Amani Fakher assuming key Senate positions, Egypt is sending a powerful message about the growing role of women in defining the country’s economic future. Their appointments could inspire a new generation of Egyptian women to pursue careers in public policy, finance, and governance — sectors where women’s perspectives are increasingly seen as vital to national progress.
