Every year on May 28, the world observes the International Day of Action for Women’s Health, a critical moment to spotlight the health rights, needs, and challenges faced by women and girls worldwide. First established in 1987 by women’s rights activists and civil society organizations, the day has evolved into a global movement advocating for inclusive, accessible, and gender-sensitive healthcare systems.
In Egypt, recent data from the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) highlights significant strides in women’s health indicators—demonstrating both the impact of national initiatives and the persistent need for sustained investment in gender-sensitive healthcare.
Notable Progress in Women’s Health Indicators
According to the latest population projections, life expectancy at birth for females in Egypt has risen from 73.4 years in 2022 to 74.4 years in 2025. Life expectancy serves as a core indicator of population health, reflecting improvements in healthcare access, quality of life, and disease prevention.
Equally encouraging is the decline in Egypt’s total fertility rate, which dropped to 2.41 children per woman in 2024, down from 2.85 in 2021, based on estimates from the General Department for Fertility Research. This decline reflects growing awareness of reproductive health and family planning, especially among women of childbearing age (15–49 years).
Expanding Access to Family Planning
CAPMAS also reports a sharp increase in the use of family planning methods among married women, rising from 58.5% in 2014 to 66.4% in 2024. Modern contraceptive methods are now used by 62.5% of married women, compared to just 56.7% a decade ago.
The regional breakdown reveals encouraging adoption rates:
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71.4% in Lower Egypt
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70.5% in urban governorates
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65.3% in frontier governorates
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59.1% in Upper Egypt
Additionally, 77% of married women aged 15–49 rely on extended breastfeeding as a form of birth spacing. Among women not currently using any method, 54% intend to do so in the future, with intention to adopt family planning highest among those with one to three children (about 60%).
These shifts point to a broader cultural and health transformation, bolstered by education, community engagement, and targeted government programs.
Decline in Female Mortality from Preventable Diseases
The government’s focused health interventions have also led to measurable declines in female mortality caused by non-communicable diseases. Between 2017 and 2023, deaths among women due to digestive system diseases dropped from 8.9% to 3.7%. Deaths due to neurological diseases halved from 1% to 0.5% in the same period.
These outcomes are attributed to the government’s expanded public health campaigns, improved access to treatment, and early diagnosis services.
Presidential Initiatives for Women’s Health
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has made women’s health a national priority, launching a series of unprecedented presidential initiatives under the umbrella of Egypt Vision 2030. These programs aim to empower women and guarantee their right to comprehensive, high-quality healthcare throughout all stages of life.
Key Initiatives Include:
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“Women’s Health and Early Breast Cancer Detection Initiative”:
As of April 22, 2025, more than 58.9 million women aged 18 and above have benefited from early screening services, breast health awareness, and access to treatment. -
“Early Detection and Treatment of Cancerous Tumors Initiative”:
This national program has reached 7 million women since its launch, offering screening and intervention services for cancers, including cervical cancer.
These efforts are redefining preventative care in Egypt and contributing to lower mortality and improved long-term outcomes for women across the country.
Aligning with Global Health and Development Goals
The International Day of Action for Women’s Health resonates strongly with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Ensuring equitable access to health services is not only a moral obligation but also a cornerstone of sustainable development and social stability.
