The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has announced a significant new partnership with the Ahl Masr Foundation for Burn Treatment, aimed at providing comprehensive, free-of-charge medical and psychological support to women and girls who have survived gender-based violence — particularly violence involving burns, a growing and deeply concerning form of abuse.
As part of this vital collaboration, the partners will launch a new specialized unit named “Safe Women Clinic” within Ahl Masr Hospital. The clinic promotes Egypt’s national response to gender-based violence (GBV), offering holistic, trauma-informed care for survivors, many of whom face long-term physical and emotional trauma as a result of brutal attacks.
This initiative is a key element of a broader national strategy implemented by UNFPA and the National Council for Women (NCW), with generous support from the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Cairo. It reflects an urgent and growing need to address GBV in all its forms — especially those that leave both visible and invisible scars.
A National Referral Pathway for Survivors
One of the defining features of this partnership is its integration within Egypt’s national referral pathway for survivors of gender-based violence — a framework coordinated by the National Council for Women to ensure that survivors can access justice, protection, and support in a coordinated and respectful manner.
Through this system, survivors treated at the “Safe Women Clinic” will be referred to appropriate legal, social, and rehabilitative services — ensuring their rights are protected and their voices are heard throughout the healing process.
Addressing an Overlooked Epidemic: Violence by Burning
Survivors frequently require long-term care — from reconstructive surgeries to intensive psychological support — which many cannot afford or access.
By directly targeting this issue, the UNFPA-Ahl Masr partnership not only provides a lifeline for survivors, but also draws national and international attention to a critical and under-addressed human rights concern.
Building on National Momentum
The launch of the Safe Women Clinic follows the success of a larger national initiative that has already established 71 “Safe Women” units across various Egyptian governorates. These units, created through collaboration between UNFPA and the NCW, are designed to ensure that no survivor is left without care — no matter where she lives.
“Every woman deserves to feel safe, to heal, and to be empowered to reclaim her life,” said a UNFPA representative. “This clinic will serve as a safe haven for survivors and a model of integrated care for the region.”
International Support and Local Impact
The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Cairo has played a key role in supporting this initiative, aligning with Norway’s broader commitment to advancing women’s rights, health, and protection worldwide. This support reflects a growing recognition within the international community that burn violence must be met with a coordinated, well-resourced response.
The Ahl Masr Foundation, Egypt’s first and only NGO dedicated to burn prevention and treatment, brings unparalleled expertise and infrastructure to this mission. Their partnership with UNFPA represents a powerful alignment of humanitarian values, medical excellence, and gender justice.
