In a strategic move to further climate resilience and sustainable development, the Environment and Climate Committee of Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW) held its regular meeting to outline its forthcoming action plan. The session, chaired by Eng. Sarah El Battouty, NCW member and head of the committee, was conducted virtually and attended by a number of prominent environmental experts and members.
During the meeting, El Battouty emphasized the committee’s commitment to aligning environmental action with women’s empowerment across rural regions. A key point of discussion was the proposal submitted by the NCW’s Rural Women Committee, led by Marie Louis, regarding the launch of a new initiative to recycle agricultural waste by expanding the production of organic compost.
This initiative builds upon a successful previous phase of the composting project launched years earlier, which demonstrated significant benefits. Not only did it provide economic opportunities for rural women, but it also contributed positively to environmental health by reducing agricultural waste and enhancing soil fertility.
Rural Women’s Role in Driving Ecological Solution
Dr. Salah Youssef, an agricultural expert and member of the Rural Women Committee, highlighted the urgent environmental need for such a project. He noted that only 15% of Egypt’s agricultural waste is currently being utilized, leaving the majority to pose serious environmental hazards.
“With millions of rural women living within proximity to farmlands, this initiative has the potential to turn a chronic waste problem into an economic and ecological solution,” Youssef stated. He underlined the dual impact: producing organic fertilizers to reduce reliance on chemical inputs, while also generating income streams for women working in underserved areas.
Climate-Responsive Empowerment
The proposed expansion aligns with Egypt’s national sustainability goals and supports its commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement. Moreover, it reinforces the intersection of gender equity and environmental stewardship, making it a model initiative for the Global South.
Eng. El Battouty reiterated the committee’s dedication to promoting policies that place women at the heart of climate action. “Environmental justice cannot be separated from gender justice,” she said. “Through innovation and collaboration, we are building a future where Egyptian women are leaders in sustainable development.”
Community-driven Climate Solutions
The Environment and Climate Committee plans to coordinate with local agricultural cooperatives, academic institutions, and green technology partners to scale up compost production. Training programs will be designed to equip rural women with the necessary skills, while monitoring frameworks will be established to track environmental and economic outcomes.
With this renewed vision, the National Council for Women is not only confronting agricultural pollution and waste mismanagement, but also setting a precedent for community-driven climate solutions across the MENA region.
