Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, participated in a seminar hosted by the European Investment Bank (EIB) in celebration of International Women’s Day. The seminar, titled “Expanding Solutions for Inclusivity and Economic Growth,” brought together Ms. Nadia Calvino, President of the European Investment Bank.
In her address, Dr. Al-Mashat expressed her gratitude to the EIB for organizing the event, emphasizing the vital importance of advancing gender equality. She underscored the need to accelerate efforts that empower women and create pathways for their success, not only as participants in society but as leaders, innovators, and agents of change in every sector.
Dr. Al-Mashat stated that the challenges confronting the global community today necessitate an enhanced role for women across all industries. She called for the inclusion of women in policymaking processes, which she believes is key to driving sustainable global economic growth and fostering resilience. “Empowering women strengthens families, communities, and economies,” she affirmed, highlighting Egypt’s commitment to gender equality across various sectors, including education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and green growth.
The Minister emphasized that in order to expedite progress toward gender equality, there is a critical need for transparent policies that allow for monitoring and measuring real advancements on this issue. “It is not enough to promote gender equality in theory; we must build environments that enable women to lead, free from constraints such as social norms, unequal pay, or barriers to access,” Dr. Al-Mashat stated. She further stressed the importance of structural reforms aimed at ensuring equal opportunities in the labor market, comprehensive legal protections, and enhanced support for work-life balance.
Dr. Al-Mashat also highlighted the importance of effective partnerships in advancing gender equality. She argued that no single government or institution can achieve these objectives alone, and that public-private sector collaborations are crucial for making significant progress. Strong partnerships, she added, must be built on shared responsibility and a cooperative approach between businesses, civil society, and governments to ensure faster and more meaningful outcomes.
Moreover, the Minister emphasized the importance of investing in women’s leadership, noting that organizations with women in leadership positions are more inclusive and tend to make better decisions. She stressed that women should not only be participants in development but also leaders in decision-making processes.
Concluding her remarks, Dr. Al-Mashat reaffirmed the importance of embedding gender equality into all policies, initiatives, and development programs. “True and sustainable progress requires that every decision made by policymakers, every financial strategy implemented, and every partnership formed prioritize the full and equal participation of women,” she concluded.
By fostering such inclusive practices and committing to the empowerment of women, Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated the crucial role of gender equality in promoting sustainable and inclusive economic development on a global scale.
