The Chairperson of the National Council for Women, Dr. Amal Ammar, welcomed Natalia Winder Rossi, the new UNICEF Representative in Egypt, in a meeting attended by key officials from both sides. Among the attendees were Jihan Tawfik, Head of the Central Administration for the President’s Office at the Council, Sherine Maher, Coordinator of the “Noura” National Program, Salma El-Fawal, Director of Child Protection Programs at UNICEF, and Dina Heikal, Director of Communications and Community Development at UNICEF.
Strengthening Collaboration Between the National Council for Women and UNICEF
Dr. Amal Ammar began the meeting by welcoming Natalia Winder Rossi, praising the fruitful partnership between the National Council for Women and UNICEF in Egypt, which has contributed to the implementation of several important programs and initiatives supporting women and children. She highlighted the National Framework for Investing in Girls, which is under the patronage of First Lady Intisar El-Sisi and includes vital programs such as the Noura Program and the Dawwi Initiative for empowering girls.
Supporting Women’s Empowerment and Combating Violence
Dr. Ammar also discussed the Balanced Parenting Program, launched by the Council as part of the national project for family development in Egypt. She emphasized the importance of the Women’s Complaints Office in receiving inquiries and complaints from women, providing them with legal, psychological, and social support. She also highlighted the ongoing efforts to raise awareness about cyber violence against women, stressing the importance of protecting women across all spheres.
Joint Efforts to Combat Harmful Practices
On her part, Natalia Winder Rossi expressed her pleasure at the continued constructive cooperation with the Council, emphasizing the importance of coordinating with various ministries and agencies to combat female genital mutilation and early marriage. She praised the role of media, particularly Egyptian drama, in raising awareness about the issues that affect Egyptian women.
During the meeting, both sides agreed on the need to raise awareness among families about the importance of psychological treatment for women who experience violence, with support provided through collaboration with the National Council for Women. They also discussed the provision of referral services for women in need, ensuring comprehensive support for those affected by violence.
Promoting Public Awareness and International Cooperation
The meeting concluded with both parties reaffirming the importance of increasing public awareness on issues impacting Egyptian women and the critical role of international cooperation in supporting national efforts toward sustainable development in women’s and children’s rights.
