Egypt’s National Council for Women Chair, Counselor Amal Ammar, took part in the official launch of a groundbreaking report titled “Palestinian Women: Resilience Against All Odds,” released by the Women Development Organization (WDO) under the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The event brought together prominent regional and international figures, including Afnan Al-Shuaibi, Executive Director of the WDO; Amina Al-Hajri, Director General for Culture, Social and Family Affairs at the OIC; Abdulaziz Al-Matar, Saudi Arabia’s Permanent Representative to the Arab League; Diab Al-Loh, Palestine’s Ambassador to Egypt; and Nesreen Al-Baghdadi, Vice President of Egypt’s National Council for Women. Palestinian Minister of Women’s Affairs Mona Al-Khalili also addressed the ceremony through a recorded message.
A Tribute to Palestinian Women’s Strength
In her opening speech, Ammar delivered an emotional tribute to Palestinian women enduring war, displacement, and loss. She described them as “symbols of courage and determination who shoulder the weight of conflict yet never abandon their role in protecting their families and communities.”
She extended heartfelt recognition to the Palestinian people, praising their resolve in defending identity, land, and freedom. Ammar also highlighted the significance of the 2025 Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Conference, calling it a “global message that ending conflict and protecting civilians is an international responsibility.”
A Report Exposing Systemic Hardships
The newly launched report—“Palestinian Women Surviving Against All Challenges: A Landmark Structural Reform Assessment in Times of Crisis”—documents the humanitarian, social, and economic toll of the conflict on women, calling for stronger regional and global intervention.
Ammar thanked the WDO, the Palestinian Ministry of Women’s Affairs, and the OIC for presenting findings that “place undeniable facts before the world with clarity and responsibility.”
Egypt’s Continued Support for Palestine
Ammar reaffirmed that Egypt—under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi—remains at the forefront of humanitarian support for Palestinians. She noted Egypt’s role in:
- Opening safe humanitarian corridors
- Coordinating large-scale aid shipments
- Receiving thousands of injured Palestinians for medical, psychological, and rehabilitative care
- Providing prosthetic devices for those severely wounded
She praised the Egyptian Red Crescent, whose cooperation with the Palestinian Red Crescent she described as an “extraordinary model of front-line humanitarian coordination.”
Commitment to Protecting and Empowering Palestinian Women
The National Council for Women, Ammar stressed, is fully committed to supporting programs that empower women at all levels.
These efforts align with the 2023 ministerial resolution of the WDO, especially Resolution No. 5, which calls for empowering Palestinian women and integrating them into recovery and reconstruction processes.
Call for Gaza Reconstruction
Ammar urged governments, development agencies, and global organizations to take part in the upcoming Egypt-hosted Gaza Reconstruction Conference, emphasizing that rebuilding Gaza is a “shared humanitarian obligation.” She underlined the need to restore essential services and uphold Palestinians’ right to live with dignity.
She also proposed that the WDO collaborate with the Palestinian Ministry of Women’s Affairs to develop a dedicated economic-empowerment program for Palestinian women during early recovery, affirming Egypt’s readiness to provide full support.
“Let us stand together for the Palestinian woman,” she concluded, “whose resilience has become a beacon of light and a global emblem of strength, hope, and belonging.”
The ceremony concluded with Afnan Al-Shuaibi presenting Amal Ammar with an honorary shield, acknowledging her ongoing efforts to support and advocate for Palestinian women.
