Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, participated in the 2025 Egyptian Women’s and Ideal Mother Celebration, held in the presence of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi. During her speech, Al-Mashat emphasized Egypt’s ongoing dedication to empowering women and ensuring gender equality as central pillars of the country’s development agenda.
The celebration marks 25 years since the establishment of the National Council for Women and comes at a pivotal moment in Egypt’s progress towards achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment under the leadership of President El-Sisi. Dr. Al-Mashat praised the leadership’s commitment to empowering women, noting that Egypt has consistently prioritized gender equality in national policies and development programs.
A Golden Era for Women in Egypt
In her speech, Minister Al-Mashat described this period as “a golden era for Egyptian women” under President El-Sisi’s leadership. She highlighted the significant strides that women have made in various sectors, including politics, business, and education. “Egyptian women now adorn leadership positions and participate actively in policymaking and decision-making processes,” she said.
Al-Mashat also emphasized the essential role of women in the economic and social development of Egypt. She referred to the various national strategies, including Egypt’s Vision 2030, that have integrated gender equality and women’s empowerment as fundamental components of national progress.
Key Investments in Women’s Empowerment
Dr. Al-Mashat outlined several major investments that have been directed towards supporting women over the past five years. According to her, approximately 300 billion Egyptian pounds have been invested in projects benefiting women, spanning education, health, social support, and economic development. Additionally, Egypt has allocated more than $4.5 billion in international development funding to projects aimed at advancing gender equality. These projects have impacted over 27 million women and girls.
Government Initiatives and Programs Supporting Women
Al-Mashat highlighted the government’s efforts to provide direct support to women through various initiatives, including the “Takafol and Karama” social safety program, which targets women and vulnerable families. The program, launched in 2015, has successfully assisted nearly 5 million families, with women comprising around 74% of the beneficiaries.
The minister also noted Egypt’s active participation in international partnerships to promote women’s rights and gender equality, including collaborations with the United Nations and other development partners. These partnerships have supported over 117 projects focused on women’s empowerment across various sectors.
Celebrating Women in Leadership
The minister further discussed the increasing involvement of women in leadership roles, particularly in the public sector. Women’s participation in Egypt’s government awards, such as the Egypt Government Excellence Award, has seen significant growth, with women now constituting nearly 50% of all award participants and 25% of the top winners. Additionally, women’s projects have been prominent in the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, with female-led initiatives securing 30% of the awards in recent competitions.
Impactful Presidential Initiatives
Minister Al-Mashat also acknowledged several presidential initiatives aimed at enhancing the welfare of Egyptian women, including the “Haya Karima” (Decent Life) initiative, which focuses on improving living conditions in rural areas. Women in Egypt’s rural communities have benefitted significantly from these efforts, which aim to address the challenges faced by marginalized populations.
She also highlighted the “100 Million Health” initiative, which has improved healthcare access for women across Egypt, and the National Initiative for Women’s Health, designed to address the health needs of women, particularly those in rural areas.
A Collaborative Approach to Empowerment
In her concluding remarks, Dr. Al-Mashat stressed the importance of collaboration among government institutions, international partners, and the private sector to continue the work of empowering women in Egypt. She underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring that women have equal opportunities to contribute to the nation’s growth and prosperity.
In closing, Al-Mashat expressed her deepest gratitude to President El-Sisi for his unwavering support of women and his commitment to elevating their status in society. She thanked all mothers and women in Egypt for their resilience, contributions, and dedication, affirming that Egypt’s progress would not be possible without their invaluable input.
