As part of the Global Population, Health, and Human Development Conference (PHDC 2025), Counselor Amal Ammar, Chairperson of Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW), actively participated in the third session, “Supporting Egyptian Student Unions and Extracurricular Activities in Schools and Universities.” The session brought together leading figures in youth and women’s empowerment, including Dr. Sahar El-Senbatie, Chairperson of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood; Dr. Ahmed Hossam, Director of Youth Empowerment Programs at the Leaders Youth Foundation; Ms. Natalie Meyer, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Egypt; Ms. Rana Karim, UN Women Program Director for Women, Peace, and Security; and Ms. Jermaine Haddad, UNFPA Assistant Representative and Program Director.
In her address, Ms. Ammar highlighted the critical role of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood in supporting girls up to age 18 and praised the Leaders Youth Foundation for its efforts in youth empowerment. She expressed gratitude to UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women, and other international partners for their continued support in advancing women’s empowerment in Egypt. Ms. Ammar also commended the conference’s motto, “Empowering Individuals, Enhancing Progress, Enabling Opportunities,” emphasizing its importance for creating equal opportunities for all.
Ms. Ammar spotlighted the “Noora Program,” supported by Egypt’s First Lady, H.E. Entissar El-Sisi, which empowers girls aged 10 to 14 by teaching negotiation, effective communication, critical thinking, and awareness of harmful practices. She also highlighted the recently launched “Noor Program,” designed to nurture a generation committed to women’s empowerment. Additionally, she referenced the Council’s Family Guidance and Balanced Upbringing Program, launched in 2021 under the National Project for Egyptian Family Development, aimed at promoting family stability and empowering women within households.
She also discussed the “Because I’m a Man” campaign, launched in 2019 to involve men in women’s empowerment initiatives nationwide. Ms. Ammar emphasized the NCW’s collaboration with the Leaders Youth Foundation to challenge gender stereotypes in technical education and praised the efforts of Dr. Maya Morsi, former Minister of Social Solidarity, for supporting vocational training initiatives.
In the closing session, titled “A Comprehensive Life-Cycle Approach to Women’s Empowerment,” Ms. Ammar joined distinguished speakers including Dr. Abla Al-Alfi, Deputy Minister of Health for Population Affairs and Chairperson of the National Population Council; Mr. Raafat Shafik, Assistant Minister of Social Solidarity; Dr. Maha Mowafi, Reproductive Health Specialist at UNFPA Egypt; and representatives from UNFPA, Bayer, and Organon.
Ms. Ammar highlighted the NCW’s 25th anniversary, noting the Council’s permanent committees that shape policies supporting women across sectors in collaboration with ministries, institutions, and civil society. She emphasized that the 2014 Constitution provides the legal foundation for gender equality, noting that Egyptian women have increasingly broken barriers to reach positions previously inaccessible, supported by leadership training programs from the National Training Academy.
She also highlighted the success of the Egyptian Gender Equality Seal, demonstrating the effectiveness of integrated approaches combining national policies, international support, and partnerships with private and civil sectors. Ms. Ammar stressed that this strategy strengthens women’s roles as key partners in sustainable development and social progress.
Finally, she highlighted the role of the Egyptian Women Observatory, noting that research and data are essential to informed policies for women’s empowerment. She also reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to protecting women from all forms of violence, including cyber violence, ensuring a safer environment for Egyptian women and girls.
