Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, praised the “Women Lead for Executives” program, describing it as a pivotal force in equipping a new generation of women leaders across the country.
Speaking during the final selection interviews for the program’s second cohort, Dr. Al-Mashat lauded the initiative, run by Egypt’s National Training Academy (NTA), as an effective and influential vehicle for advancing female empowerment in both public and private spheres.
“This program goes beyond individual skill-building,” she said. “It is a platform for enhancing women’s participation in political, economic, and social life — a strategic necessity as Egypt prepares for major political milestones, including upcoming parliamentary elections.”
The “Women Lead for Executives” initiative, developed in partnership with the Ministry of Planning and other governmental bodies, is designed to cultivate a pipeline of high-performing female professionals ready to assume leadership positions. Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted the exceptional caliber of applicants in the second cohort, noting their diverse professional backgrounds and remarkable competencies.
“The quality and diversity of this year’s candidates reflect a growing spirit of healthy competition and ambition among Egyptian women,” she said.
Beyond the professional development lens, Dr. Al-Mashat underscored the program’s broader societal impact. She emphasized that economic empowerment is not merely about securing leadership positions, but about women becoming agents of influence and innovation in their fields.
“Empowerment means enabling women to make meaningful contributions, to lead decisively, and to create tangible value wherever they serve,” she asserted. “This program gives them the tools, the confidence, and the mindset to do exactly that.”
She further stressed the economic imperative of gender equality, pointing to global studies indicating that narrowing the gender gap could boost national GDPs by up to 34%.
Dr. Al-Mashat also drew attention to Egypt’s increasingly strategic use of the National Training Academy as a model of international cooperation. Through the Ministry’s International Cooperation sector, the academy has engaged with global institutions, earning recognition across Africa for its inclusive training approach and capacity-building outreach.
“The academy is attracting a wide spectrum of trainees from across age groups and regions,” she said. “It gives ambitious young women in their 20s a runway for leadership, while offering women in their 50s the opportunity to renew skills and continue contributing meaningfully.”
Special praise was directed at Dr. Rasha Ragheb, Executive Director of the National Training Academy, for her leadership in shaping a transformative agenda that includes boosting the role of women in academia and executive positions across Egypt.
Reflecting on the broader landscape, Dr. Al-Mashat cited the past decade under President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi as a turning point for Egyptian women, crediting the president’s leadership with establishing meritocracy as the main criterion for public appointments.
“Women today hold key positions in government, parliament, and the Senate — not by chance, but by proven competence,” she said. “The progress we’ve seen is the result of sustained political will and an evolving national mindset.”
In closing, Dr. Al-Mashat offered a personal message to the program’s candidates and graduates: “Every Egyptian woman in leadership carries a double responsibility: to perform her duties with excellence, and to serve as an inspiration for others to follow,” she said. “Their success is Egypt’s success — especially in a world undergoing complex transformations that demand every citizen’s contribution to building a better future.”
