In a continued effort to foster gender equality and invest in the next generation of leaders, the National Council for Women (NCW) welcomed a delegation of students from Galala University this week. The engagement took place under the broader framework of national initiatives championed by Egypt’s First Lady, Entissar El-Sisi, whose steadfast support for women and girls remains central to the country’s development strategy.
The meeting was led by Dr. Salma Dawara, NCW member and Chair of the Health and Population Committee, and Dr. Dina Ahmed Araby, Dean of the Faculty of Media at Galala University. The delegation comprised 18 students from various academic disciplines, demonstrating a growing interest among youth in gender policy and social inclusion.
Senior NCW officials also participated, including Amal Abdel Monem, Director of the Women’s Complaints Office; Sherout Ibrahim, Director General of International Cooperation; Nashwa Mostafa, Director of Financial Inclusion; Nouran El-Gomai from the Women’s Skills Development Office; and Rania Taha, Director of Strategic Planning. Representing the university were Aida Abdel Rahim, Head of the Equal Opportunity Unit, and her colleague, Nourhan.
Advancing the National Vision for Women’s Empowerment
Dr. Dawara provided an in-depth briefing on the council’s mandate as Egypt’s national mechanism for the advancement of women. She outlined its institutional structure, regional presence, and key programs that align with the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030 — a landmark policy framework grounded in equality, participation, and protection.
Dr. Araby emphasized Galala University’s ongoing commitment to gender equity and inclusive education, particularly in supporting female students with disabilities. She reaffirmed the university’s readiness to deepen cooperation with the NCW through joint initiatives and capacity-building programs.
Highlighting National and International Cooperation
The meeting spotlighted several key NCW initiatives, including the role of anti-violence units within Egyptian universities, the expansion of equal opportunity offices across ministries, and the pivotal function of the Women’s Complaints Office in providing legal and psychosocial support.
A major focus was the council’s financial inclusion strategy, particularly the innovative “Tahweesha” program — a digital savings and lending initiative aimed at economically empowering women in underserved communities. The program represents a model for grassroots financial resilience and gender-responsive economic policy.
Investing in Girls: A National Commitment
Discussions also touched on international conventions on women’s rights and Egypt’s proactive engagement with global gender frameworks. Special attention was given to the National Framework for Investing in Girls, a presidential initiative under the patronage of First Lady Entissar El-Sisi. The framework supports adolescent girls through interventions in education, health, leadership, and protection, positioning them as central agents in Egypt’s long-term sustainable development.
