In a ceremony marked by celebration and reflection, Counselor Amal Ammar, President of Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW), honored the remarkable 13-year journey of the Safe Foundation, a civil society organization known for its impactful work in child protection and gender equality.
The anniversary event, held in Cairo, brought together senior government officials, representatives from embassies and ministries, public figures, private sector leaders, and social development experts. Among the notable attendees were Sara Aziz, Founder and Director of the Safe Foundation and a member of NCW’s Youth Committee, and Isis Mahmoud, a veteran women’s development expert.
Championing Child Protection and Community Advocacy
In her keynote remarks, Counselor Amal Ammar praised the foundation’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable children and promoting a safe, nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
“What the Safe Foundation has achieved over the past 13 years is nothing short of a national success story,” said Ammar. “It stands as a model of tireless, purpose-driven civic engagement and a bulwark against the challenges facing Egyptian children.”
She emphasized the NCW’s pride in its partnership with the Safe Foundation, describing it as a model for constructive collaboration between national institutions and civil society organizations to promote the empowerment of women and girls.
A Record of Impact and Institutional Collaboration
Sara Aziz, who founded the organization in 2012, reflected on its evolution and the values it upholds.
“From the outset, we prioritized child protection and the creation of safe spaces,” Aziz said. “Whether combating sexual violence or supporting mental health awareness for women and children, we’ve always worked hand-in-hand with key national stakeholders—most notably the National Council for Women.”
Aziz also noted that the foundation’s long-term partnerships helped implement nationwide awareness campaigns, advocacy training, and policy engagement on issues such as gender-based violence and child abuse.
Interfaith Leadership in Women’s Rights Advocacy
Isis Mahmoud highlighted another critical aspect of the foundation’s approach—its work with religious leaders to advance women’s rights and address deeply rooted social norms.
Through strategic training initiatives that brought together Muslim and Christian clergy, the foundation and the NCW have jointly worked to spread awareness of women’s rights, challenge harmful practices, and promote a culture of respect, equity, and shared responsibility.
Honoring Leadership in Social Impact
To cap off the celebration, Counselor Amal Ammar presented Sara Aziz with the “Ta’a Marbouta” honorary shield—the highest distinction offered by the NCW in recognition of outstanding contributions to the empowerment of women and protection of children.
“We are not just celebrating 13 years of the Safe Foundation,” Ammar said. “We are celebrating 13 years of protecting futures, empowering communities, and building a more inclusive and just Egypt.”
A Model for Sustainable Development Goals
The celebration served as a reaffirmation of Egypt’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—especially Goal 5 on gender equality, and Goal 16 on peace, justice, and strong institutions.
Counselor Ammar closed her remarks with a call to action for continued collaboration, encouraging all sectors—government, civil society, and private enterprise—to intensify efforts toward a society where women are empowered, children are protected, and equity is not an ideal but a reality.
