The U.S. Embassy in Cairo and the Egyptian government announced a new five-year initiative for ending violence against women and girls. This critical partnership, funded with an initial investment of $9.7 million from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), will work to prevent violence and support survivors.
The initiative reflects a shared commitment by both nations to promote gender equality and empower women and girls. It will address critical issues like child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and economic and social barriers. The program aligns with existing Egyptian efforts like the Hayah Karima Initiative and the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030.
The U.S. and Egypt have a long history of collaboration on VAWG initiatives. USAID’s previous support helped establish a nationwide referral system connecting survivors with essential services. This collaboration significantly increased access to support, with the number of women and girls utilizing these services rising from 1,000 in 2015 to nearly 90,000 in 2021.
The Ending Violence Against Women and Girls initiative will build on this success by working with a broad range of partners This collaborative approach will ensure a comprehensive strategy to create a safer, more equitable future for women and girls in Egypt.
