Egypt’s Chamber of Food Industries at the Federation of Egyptian Industries has been officially awarded the Gender Equality Seal by the National Council for Women, becoming the first industrial chamber in the federation to receive this recognition. The award marks a significant step in promoting inclusive and equitable business practices within one of Egypt’s most vital economic sectors.
The certification underscores the chamber’s commitment to gender equality, equal opportunity, and human rights in the food industry—one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors. It aligns directly with Egypt’s Vision 2030, which seeks to foster a more inclusive, innovative, and just society.
A Strategic Advantage for Sustainable Development
According to Dr. Hamza, receiving the Gender Equality Seal provides the chamber with strategic and organizational benefits, enhancing its position in dealings with governmental bodies, international donors, and development partners.
She emphasized that the Chamber’s Board of Directors, led by Engineer Ashraf El Gazayerli, has taken decisive steps to institutionalize equality practices, including clear policies, training programs, and support mechanisms for women entrepreneurs and professionals within the food sector.
These actions have created a systematic framework to align internal policies and organizational structures with the standards of the Gender Equality Seal. The process focused on critical areas such as technical support, internal governance, and businesswomen empowerment.
A Competitive Edge in Global Partnerships
The Gender Equality Seal boosts the Chamber’s competitiveness in dialogue with ministries, international agencies, and development institutions—particularly those that view gender equality as a driver of economic development. Dr. Hamza noted that the certification opens doors to funding opportunities, technical cooperation, and joint initiatives with global organizations such as the European Union, United Nations, and World Bank.
Additionally, the chamber plans to collaborate with the National Council for Women on projects designed to empower women across food and industrial value chains.
Transforming the Food Industry from Within
The Chamber of Food Industries is now positioning itself as a key influencer in raising awareness among member companies about the importance of adopting gender equality policies. Its role extends beyond certification; the chamber is now seen as a credible voice in shaping legislation and industrial policy related to women’s empowerment and workplace equality.
There is also a call to introduce fiscal and investment incentives for companies that comply with gender equality standards—paving the way for broader reforms across Egypt’s industrial landscape.
Practical Gains for Members and Industry at Large
The seal is not just symbolic—it offers tangible advantages for member companies, including:
- Improved hiring, training, and promotion practices
- Fairer workplace environments
- Easier access to sustainability and social responsibility certifications
- Enhanced export potential
By integrating gender equality into its operational ethos, the chamber has met several strategic milestones:
- Increased female participation at all levels of the food industry
- Inclusion of gender-sensitive policies and internal regulations
- Support for women-owned small businesses
- Greater representation of women in leadership roles
- Development of monitoring tools for gender-related performance metrics
Driving National Goals Through Industrial Action
The Gender Equality Seal reaffirms the Chamber of Food Industries’ role as a state partner in achieving Egypt’s Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on women’s economic empowerment and equal opportunity.
In the words of Dr. Hamza, this recognition is not an endpoint but a catalyst for scaling gender equality efforts across Egypt’s industrial sectors.
