Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Maya Morsy, delivered an interactive lecture outlining the ministry’s initiatives to empower women, emphasizing the strong political will supporting women’s rights in the country. She met with a group of students from the University of Vienna (Austria), Northumbria University (United Kingdom), and the German University in Cairo. The meeting took place as part of their participation in the inaugural edition of the “Egyptian Public Prosecution’s Program for Legal Exchange with International and Egyptian Universities and Institutions,” organized by the Egyptian Public Prosecution. This initiative is part of broader efforts to enhance legal cooperation between Egyptian and international institutions and to foster cultural and legal exchanges among the younger generations of students and future judicial leaders.
In her address, Morsy reflected on the pivotal role Egyptian women played in securing their rights, particularly in 2013, and the foundation laid by political will for gender equality. She noted the significant progress made through constitutional rights, legislative reforms, and the declaration of 2017 as the Year of Egyptian Women. Morsy pointed out that today, women occupy ministerial positions and play active roles in decision-making and leadership.
The minister also discussed Egypt’s National Strategy for the Empowerment of Women 2030, highlighting it as one of the first global strategies for women’s empowerment aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The strategy, she explained, serves as a comprehensive framework for advancing women’s rights and ensuring their access to opportunities across all sectors.
As part of the program, delegations from these universities participated in a comprehensive immersion to learn about Egypt’s legal history and its esteemed judicial system. The initiative reflects the Public Prosecution’s commitment to strengthening legal and cultural collaboration at both local and international levels.
The first edition included academic and student delegations from the aforementioned universities, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of Egypt’s rich judicial history and system. The students also participated in specialized lecture programs led by key Egyptian figures, emphasizing the importance of legal and cultural integration across all levels.
Also attending the meeting were Eng. Marguerite Sarofim, Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity, along with other ministry officials, members of the Public Prosecution, and faculty members from the three universities.
The Minister highlighted the importance of such cultural dialogue, especially as young people represent the strength of any nation.
She delivered an interactive lecture focusing on the Ministry’s efforts and services, particularly in the area of women’s empowerment, emphasizing the strong political will that supports women’s rights. Minister Morsi reviewed the role women played in defending their rights in 2013, the political commitment that led to significant advancements in gender equality, constitutional rights, and the implementation of the 2017 “Year of Egyptian Women” declaration. She also pointed out that Egyptian women now hold ministerial positions and are active in decision-making and leadership roles.
The Minister also discussed Egypt’s National Strategy for Women’s Empowerment 2030, which is the first such strategy globally, and is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. This strategy represents a comprehensive framework to elevate women’s status across all sectors, ensuring they receive their full rights.
Dr. Morsi went on to reflect on the Ministry’s efforts in social protection, economic empowerment, and care services, emphasizing the impact of Egypt’s Social Security Law. The law aims to provide a more inclusive and sustainable safety net by expanding the pool of beneficiaries, ensuring continuity in financial support, and aligning the support system with the principles of governance to guarantee that aid reaches its rightful recipients.
The Minister also highlighted the Ministry’s role in managing Egypt’s largest conditional cash transfer program, “Takaful and Karama,” which benefits 4.7 million families, with an annual budget of 41 billion EGP. The program stands out for its educational and health-related conditions. Additionally, she discussed the adoption of the Elderly Care Law and the Ministry’s ongoing efforts in improving conditions for informal workers.
Minister Morsi referenced Egypt’s recent participation in the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of human rights in Geneva, showcasing the country’s progress in social protection and welfare amidst global challenges. The review had a significant impact on international delegations, particularly regarding efforts in supporting people with disabilities and civil society contributions.
At the conclusion of her lecture, Dr. Morsi urged the students to adhere to the principles of international law and to strive for justice without discrimination.
In a lecture titled “The Role of NGOs and the Early Childhood Development Program,” Eng. Sarofim discussed the Ministry’s Early Childhood Development Program. She explained the importance of early childhood as a critical stage in a child’s life, from birth to the age of 4. The Ministry has signed a cooperation protocol with the Ministries of Local Development and Education, as well as the National Alliance for Civil Development Action, to implement a project that supports family and child development centers in the villages of the “Decent Life” presidential initiative. These efforts aim to establish nurseries that meet quality standards and create preschool classrooms.
Eng. Sarofim emphasized the Ministry’s focus on expanding and improving the quality of nurseries to support working mothers, contributing to women’s empowerment.
She also highlighted the crucial role of civil society, which is supported by the political leadership of Egypt. In 2022, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi declared the year as “The Year of Civil Society,” and the National Alliance for Civil Development Action was formed to coordinate efforts among NGOs. This collaboration is essential in advancing Egypt’s development goals.
On the other hand, Dr. Ahmed Saada, Assistant Minister of Social Solidarity and Executive Director of the National NGO Support Fund, discussed the role of the fund, which was established in 2019 under the NGO Law. The fund aims to promote sustainable development, social justice, and volunteerism while supporting NGOs through financial and technical assistance, ensuring transparency and sustainability.
In this regard, Dr. Mohamed Mustafa, Chief Forensic Medical Officer and Scientific Advisor to the Anti-Addiction Fund, provided an overview of the Fund’s efforts in combating addiction, including prevention policies, early drug use detection campaigns, and providing rehabilitation services for addiction recovery and reintegration into society.
The first edition included academic and student delegations from the aforementioned universities, allowing them to gain a deeper understanding of Egypt’s rich judicial history and system. The students also participated in specialized lecture programs led by key Egyptian figures, emphasizing the importance of legal and cultural integration across all levels.
