Egypt’s Ministry of Endowments and the National Council for Women (NCW) have signed a new cooperation protocol aimed at strengthening community awareness, advancing women’s empowerment, and supporting human development through closer institutional collaboration.
The agreement reflects Egypt’s broader strategy of integrating the efforts of national institutions to promote sustainable development, strengthen social cohesion, and invest in building informed and resilient communities.
Strengthening National Cooperation
The protocol was signed by Dr. Osama Al-Azhari, Egypt’s Minister of Endowments, and Counselor Amal Ammar, President of the National Council for Women, during an official ceremony held at the council’s headquarters.
Before the signing, Al-Azhari toured the NCW’s handicrafts exhibition, which showcased handmade products created by women from governorates across Egypt. He praised the exhibition for highlighting Egyptian women’s creativity, productivity, and their role in preserving the country’s cultural heritage through traditional crafts.
The event was attended by senior officials from both institutions, underscoring the importance of expanding cooperation across awareness campaigns, training, women’s development, and community-building initiatives.
Building Human Development Through Partnership
The ceremony opened with the screening of the documentary On the Shore, which highlighted the economic drivers behind irregular migration and emphasized the importance of community awareness and coordinated national action in addressing social challenges.
Speaking during the event, Dr. Al-Azhari described the agreement as a significant step toward expanding the long-standing cooperation between the Ministry of Endowments and the National Council for Women.
He explained that the partnership will extend beyond awareness initiatives to include professional training, capacity building, and skills development programs, particularly for women working within the ministry, creating new opportunities for professional growth and institutional excellence.
Recognizing Egyptian Women’s Role in Nation Building
Al-Azhari stressed that the Ministry of Endowments believes in building strong partnerships with state institutions to achieve national development goals. He noted the ministry’s previous collaborations with the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services as successful models of institutional cooperation.
He described the National Council for Women as one of Egypt’s key development partners because of the central role women play in building society.
The minister emphasized that Egyptian women have contributed throughout history as ministers, public officials, scholars, intellectuals, and active partners in shaping civilization. He praised women as the foundation of Egyptian families and recognized their vital contributions to raising generations, supporting communities, and inspiring future progress.
Al-Azhari also expressed appreciation for First Lady Entissar El-Sisi’s continued support for Egyptian women and the National Council for Women, while acknowledging President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women and supporting national initiatives that strengthen families and society.
He concluded by reaffirming the ministry’s commitment to broadening cooperation with the NCW across multiple areas of shared interest that support community awareness and human development.
Women’s Empowerment as a National Priority
Counselor Amal Ammar welcomed the minister and his delegation, describing the National Council for Women as “the home of every Egyptian woman.”
She said the newly signed protocol reflects the state’s commitment to institutional integration in achieving sustainable development goals while protecting society from misinformation and harmful ideologies.
Ammar praised the significant progress achieved by the Ministry of Endowments under Dr. Al-Azhari’s leadership and highlighted the success of previous joint initiatives between the two institutions, including the Dawar Sessions, which promote community dialogue and awareness.
She added that the partnership extends beyond educational and awareness activities to include economic empowerment programs that help improve living standards, emphasizing that empowering women economically ultimately strengthens Egyptian families.
Ammar also highlighted the important role played by imams and female religious preachers in spreading awareness, promoting moderation, reinforcing family values, and supporting social stability throughout local communities.
Supporting Egypt’s Sustainable Development Vision
The new cooperation protocol reinforces Egypt’s commitment to strengthening institutional partnerships that combine awareness, education, economic empowerment, and human development.
By bringing together the expertise of the Ministry of Endowments and the National Council for Women, the initiative seeks to support stronger families, empower women socially and economically, and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable society aligned with Egypt’s long-term development priorities.
