In a vibrant exchange of cross-cultural dialogue and policy insight, Amal Ammar, President of Egypt’s National Council for Women (NCW), welcomed a delegation of professors and students from both the American University in Cairo (AUC) and George Washington University (GWU) in the United States. The purpose of the visit was to explore Egypt’s national strategies and grassroots programs aimed at women’s empowerment and gender equality.
The delegation a first-hand look at Egypt’s institutional mechanisms for advancing women’s rights, showcasing the NCW as the country’s national machinery for gender equality.
Comprehensive Approach to Empowerment
Justice Ammar opened the session by tracing the history of the NCW, founded to spearhead Egypt’s official agenda in promoting women’s rights. She detailed key initiatives under the National Project for Family Development, including innovative programs like:
- Tahwesha: A digital savings and lending group platform for women
- Noura: The national investment framework for adolescent girls
- Noor: A community-based approach to gender awareness
These programs represent a unique blend of financial inclusion, education, and cultural engagement. Ammar emphasized how the council’s “Knocking on Doors” campaigns—community outreach efforts conducted across Egypt’s 27 governorates—serve as a direct pipeline for awareness, education, and mobilization.
Bridging Policy and Community Action
The session included an overview of landmark legislation passed in recent years that has advanced the legal status of Egyptian women, from criminalizing harassment to expanding labor rights.
The delegation was also introduced to several strategic partnerships with national and international stakeholders. Among the highlights was Egypt’s National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030, a multidimensional policy framework that addresses political participation, economic empowerment, social protection, and legislative reform
A notable segment focused on the NCW’s Women’s Complaints Office, which offers legal, psychological, and social support services, along with clear communication mechanisms for women in distress. The delegation also learned about the Women’s Skills Development Center, which promotes economic self-reliance through tailored vocational training.
The council’s work on financial inclusion, particularly through the Tahwesha digital savings initiative, was highlighted as a model that merges fintech with grassroots community development.
Academic Delegation Inspired by Egypt’s Experience
The U.S.-Egyptian delegation expressed deep admiration for the NCW’s holistic, community-integrated approach to empowering women.
“We are truly inspired by the breadth and depth of the Council’s initiatives—from digital financial inclusion to legislative reform. This is an invaluable learning experience for our students and scholars,” said one visiting professor.
