In a powerful display of Egypt’s commitment to women’s empowerment and technical education, Eng. Margaret Sarofim,, Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity, presided over the closing ceremony of the fourth edition of the “She Leads” initiative, and announced the official launch of the new “Republic School Leaders” program. The event, hosted by Youth Leaders Foundation, was held under the patronage of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, Ministry of Education and Technical Education, and the National Council for Women.
The ceremony brought together high-profile attendees from across the public and private sectors, including Counselor Amal Ammar, President of the National Council for Women; Ghada Tawfik, Advisor to the Central Bank of Egypt on Social Responsibility; MP Ahmed Fathy, Chair of the Youth of Leaders Foundation; and Dr. Magued Osman, alongside numerous MPs, senators, government officials, business leaders, and civil society representatives.
Honoring Young Innovators
Sarofim toured the student exhibition, engaging directly with the young women behind a range of innovative projects. She expressed admiration for the technical skill and creativity demonstrated by the participants, noting that the projects reflected a high level of ingenuity and potential.
In her address, Sarofim emphasized the strategic importance of technical education in empowering young women, calling it “a real investment in a brighter future.” She noted, “Every girl we empower with education and training becomes a potential entrepreneur, creator, and leader. These programs do not just offer opportunity—they build futures.”
A State Commitment to Girls’ Education
Sarofim highlighted that Egypt, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, has placed significant emphasis on educating girls and empowering women across all sectors. This commitment is evident in the country’s numerous national programs and presidential initiatives that blend social protection with economic empowerment—shifting the focus from support to sustainability.
She affirmed that vocational education is a cornerstone of inclusive development, producing skilled labor equipped to meet the evolving needs of local and global markets. The government’s continued investment in modernizing this sector, including hands-on training and alignment with global technologies, reflects a forward-looking development agenda.
“She Leads”: Shaping the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Now in its fourth edition, the “She Leads” initiative continues to be a flagship model for gender-focused, skills-based education. The program targets female students from technical and applied technology schools, encouraging them to launch innovative, socially responsible businesses that serve their communities while creating long-term income opportunities.
Over the past four years, the initiative has successfully supported more than 550 young female entrepreneurs and helped develop over 165 student-led projects in industries ranging from software and digital manufacturing to fashion, crafts, and the arts.
Sarofim praised the initiative as a powerful example of cross-sector collaboration in action, noting that its success was made possible through effective partnerships between government bodies, private sector institutions, and civil society. “This is what sustainable development looks like—networks of support working together for long-term national impact,” she said.
Republic School Leaders Program
In a significant announcement, Sarofim introduced the “Republic School Leaders” initiative—an ambitious program aimed at training and mentoring student union leaders across Egyptian schools. This program seeks to build a pipeline of youth leadership, preparing students to play an active role in public life and contributing to the country’s human development goals.
Recognizing Excellence
The event concluded with the announcement of the winning teams from this year’s “She Leads” competition. Deputy Minister Sarofim personally awarded top-performing students in the fields of programming, manufacturing, design, crafts, and arts, celebrating their exceptional efforts and reinforcing the importance of innovation and resilience in building a sustainable future.
