Environment Minister Yasmine Fouad met for with Nasr El-Din El-Haj, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) discussions via videoconference on Monday.
During the meeting, Fouad and El-Haj discussed the mutual plan to counteract the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, which has had severe worldwide social and economic impacts.
Fouad said that the plan is part of UN proposals and consultations with national counterparts, the National Council for Women and the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation.
The discussions included means of strengthening social protection measures due to the negative impacts of the pandemic, particularly on the livelihoods of many social groups. The plan is also looking to ensure the continuity of basic services, including education and basic health care despite the ongoing pandemic.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Environment, the plan consists of four main pillars, namely prosperity, people, women, and the planet. During the meeting, Fouad stressed the need to focus on the interests of fragile communities, such as cleaners, and support them whilst an official sector guaranteeing their rights is established.
She further highlighted the importance of strengthening the role of women in environmental work. This comes especially in the field of natural protected areas, as many women work on natural products and sell them in these areas. Fouad stressed the importance of assisting these women in presenting their work and promoting them through social media networks, as a means to make ends meet and survive the current situation.
