Egypt’s efforts to advance women’s economic empowerment continue to gain momentum, with over EGP 300 billion allocated between FY 2020/2021 and 2024/2025 to support women’s inclusion in social and human development sectors, according to the Ministry of Planning, during a major event organized by the National Council for Women (NCW) under the title “Launch of Research Papers on Women’s Economic Empowerment.”
In her keynote address, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation, affirmed that empowering women across economic, social, and political spheres is a central pillar of Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the national sustainable development agenda.
Strategic Frameworks and Global Partnerships
Dr. Al-Mashat highlighted several strategic milestones that Egypt has achieved in recent years, including:
- The launch of the Gender Gap Accelerator — Egypt became the first country in the Middle East and Africa to partner with the World Economic Forum on this initiative aimed at closing gender gaps in economic participation.
- Gender-Responsive Planning and Budgeting — The Egyptian government has formally adopted a gender-responsive planning approach and, in 2022, released its first Gender-Responsive Sustainable Development Guide.
These frameworks aim to ensure that development policies, budgets, and initiatives address the distinct needs of women and actively contribute to reducing gender disparities.
Investment as a Catalyst for Inclusion
According to the Ministry, increased public investments targeting gender equity are already translating into improved female participation in key sectors. The EGP 300 billion in targeted investments are channeled through various programs in education, health, entrepreneurship, social protection, and employment.
The event also saw collaboration between the NCW and academic researchers, with new evidence-based policy papers aimed at strengthening Egypt’s economic empowerment roadmap.
A Model for the Region
Egypt’s evolving model for women’s empowerment — combining policy reform, strategic investment, and data-driven decision-making — represents a regional benchmark. The initiatives championed by NCW and the Ministry of Planning are not only advancing national priorities but also contributing to broader international development goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
