In a powerful display of commitment to gender equality, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development , participated in celebrations hosted by the Spanish Embassy and the African Center for Economic Transformation to commemorate International Women’s Day and Egyptian Women’s Day.
During her address, Al-Mashat emphasized that the celebration, held within Women’s Month, is a “strong call to action to empower women to play a pivotal role in building economies, driving innovation, and shaping the future of societies.” She stressed that gender equality is no longer a mere topic of discussion at conferences or formal events, but has become a pressing global priority. “It is not just a value we seek to achieve, but the foundation upon which just societies and sustainable economies are built,” she stated.
Al-Mashat highlighted that under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the “Bidaya” initiative was launched, an ambitious program aimed at reimagining investment in human capital, including women, to pave a new path for the development of Egyptian citizens. The initiative seeks to strengthen national identity and provide resources and opportunities for development across the country.
She pointed out that Egypt has significantly increased its investments in women’s education, healthcare, employment, and social services, marking an unprecedented step towards empowering Egyptian women. Through the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and International Cooperation, Egypt is coordinating 89 projects focused on gender issues in collaboration with international and regional partners, underscoring the belief that “real change requires strong and supportive partnerships.”
Al-Mashat also highlighted the strategic partnerships with Team Europe in the field of gender equality, which are a cornerstone of Egypt’s efforts towards women’s empowerment. With Spain alone, through the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development, Egypt is implementing 13 projects dedicated to women’s empowerment, with a total funding exceeding 4.5 million euros. Cooperation with Switzerland, Germany, Norway, and Ireland also supports Egypt’s efforts to create a more inclusive economic environment that enables Egyptian women to succeed in social and economic fields.
She further noted the launch of the “Gender Gap Accelerator” in 2020, the first of its kind in the Middle East and Africa.1 The program has successfully mobilized over 100 companies that have pledged to take decisive actions to close the economic gender gap and increase women’s participation in the labor market.
Despite the progress achieved in recent decades, Al-Mashat acknowledged that significant challenges remain in achieving economic empowerment and financial inclusion for women in Africa. She emphasized that ensuring women’s financial and economic inclusion is not only a step towards achieving social justice but also a key factor in driving national development.
