In a significant step toward strengthening regional cooperation on refugee affairs and women’s rights, Counselor Amal Ammar, President of Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW), welcomed Dr. Hanan Hamdan, Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Egypt and to the League of Arab States, for a high-level meeting aimed at advancing mutual strategic goals.
The meeting, held at the NCW’s headquarters in Cairo, focused on developing sustainable frameworks for joint initiatives that bolster refugee protection, promote gender equality, and enhance the socioeconomic inclusion of displaced women and girls across Egypt and the region.
Joining the discussions were senior officials from both organizations, including Sherwet Ibrahim, Director General of the International Agreements and Cooperation Department at the NCW; Amr Safour, Child Protection Officer at UNHCR Egypt; and Mona Baz, Associate Protection Officer at UNHCR.
Strengthening Inter-Agency Coordination for Refugees and Women’s Rights
Counselor Amal Ammar emphasized the importance of collaborative engagement between national institutions and international bodies, especially in light of Egypt’s growing role as a host country for thousands of refugees from neighboring conflict zones.
“Our meeting today reaffirms our shared commitment to uphold the rights and dignity of women, especially those facing compounded vulnerabilities due to displacement and conflict,” said Counselor Ammar. “The Council is keen to deepen its partnership with UNHCR to ensure protection, education, and economic support for refugee women and children.”
Dr. Hanan Hamdan echoed this sentiment, highlighting the potential for impactful, grassroots programs when local and international stakeholders align.
“Egypt’s NCW plays a pivotal role in advocating for inclusive policies. Our cooperation can set a regional precedent in integrating refugee protection with national development goals,” said Dr. Hamdan.
Shared Objectives and Future Pathways
The meeting laid the groundwork for joint action plans in several priority areas:
- Legal awareness campaigns for refugee women
- Capacity-building workshops focused on psychosocial and legal support
- Cross-sectoral training programs for protection officers and community leaders
- Policy dialogue to align national women’s strategies with refugee rights frameworks
Both sides agreed to initiate pilot projects targeting urban refugee communities, especially in Greater Cairo, and to explore technical cooperation within the framework of Egypt’s commitments to the Global Compact on Refugees and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
Egypt as a Regional Leader in Refugee Protection
Egypt hosts over 500,000 registered refugees and asylum seekers from more than 60 nationalities, with the majority originating from Syria, Sudan, South Sudan, and Eritrea. As the region faces continued humanitarian challenges, the NCW-UNHCR partnership is expected to serve as a blueprint for holistic, gender-responsive approaches to refugee support.
