In a decisive move to fortify public awareness and accelerate the empowerment of Egyptian women, the National Council for Women (NCW) convened its first provincial coordination meeting in Cairo this week under the national initiative “Together with Awareness, We Protect Her”. The initiative, which spans all governorates, aims to institutionalize awareness-building as a pillar of national resilience and social development.
Held at the NCW’s headquarters in the heart of the Egyptian capital, the session brought together an influential roster of policymakers, local government leaders, academics, and civil society stakeholders. The forum was opened by Justice Amal Ammar, President of the NCW, alongside Deputy Cairo Governor Dr. Hossam Fawzy, Deputy Governor of the Southern Region Ashraf Mansour, and Eastern Region Deputy Governor Eng. Mona Al-Batrawy, in addition to senior officials from key directorates.
Building Awareness as a National Imperative
Ammar underscored the shift from rhetorical advocacy to strategic action, stating that “This initiative is not a slogan. It is a structured campaign aimed at fostering collective awareness of national issues. Awareness is no longer a luxury — it is a national necessity.”
She warned of the growing sophistication of modern threats, which now extend beyond physical warfare to psychological, informational, and cultural domains. Ammar described the Egyptian woman as the cornerstone of societal resilience.
The meeting, she explained, aimed to formulate a comprehensive, cross-sectoral plan of activities, clearly defining the roles of each governmental and civil partner. The goal: tangible, sustainable impact across all societal strata.
Strategic Gains from Building Grassroots Capacity
Justice Ammar highlighted several achievements already realized under the campaign, including 81 awareness workshops reaching over 4,000 female community leaders. Three training camps for 150 Muslim and Christian clerics to incorporate campaign messaging into faith-based education.
Commitment to Transformation
Representing Cairo’s governorate, Deputy Governor Dr. Ibrahim Saber emphasized that the campaign is fully aligned with President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s national agenda, particularly the Egypt Vision 2030 and the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women.
“A well-informed woman is a catalyst for a more enlightened, prosperous nation,” Saber stated. “Empowerment requires more than opportunity — it demands an enabling environment for women’s economic, social, and cognitive advancement.”
He reiterated Cairo’s commitment to integrating women’s empowerment into its developmental framework and to building a citywide culture of participation and equality.
Dialogue, Identity, and the Role of Youth
Prominent journalist and NCW member Nashwa Al-Houfi called for greater intergenerational dialogue, warning that without a shared linguistic and cultural reference point, Egyptian youth could drift into alienation and ideological confusion.
Dr. Ismat Abaza, representing NCW’s Cairo chapter, announced plans to embed the campaign in academic curricula across the capital’s technical colleges. The program will launch in the upcoming academic year and include seminars, training sessions, and student-led visual arts projects themed on the campaign.
Maha Marwan, Head of the NCW’s Cairo office, unveiled a multi-platform media plan leveraging traditional and digital outlets, while Isis Mahmoud, a campaign strategist, emphasized the importance of multi-sector coordination and cross-institutional buy-in.
Recognition and Cultural Engagement
The event concluded with Justice Ammar presenting an honorary shield to Dr. Saber, recognizing his steadfast support of the council’s efforts. Attendees also viewed a short documentary film featuring prominent Egyptian artists and public figures discussing the strategic role of civic awareness in today’s Egypt.
Blueprint for Scalable, Sustainable Impact
At its core, “Together with Awareness, We Protect Her” seeks to dismantle the notion that awareness-building is a soft intervention. In an era of hybrid threats and societal polarization, the initiative asserts that informed citizenship — particularly among women — is a national defense mechanism.
