Six countries that share a common vision of gender equality and women’s empowerment joined forces to celebrate Egyptian Women’s Day in a grand ceremony. The event, hosted by the Mexican Ambassador in Cairo on 6 March 2024, featured the prestigious “Champions of Change” awards that recognize Egyptian women who have made remarkable contributions to their society.
The ceremony coincided with the celebration of International and Egyptian Women’s Day, with this year’s theme being “Inspire Inclusion.” Egyptian Women’s Day falls on 16 March, the date of the first women’s demonstration against British colonialism in 1919. The “Champions of Change” awards, established in 2020, aim to honor the legacy of the women who participated in the 1919 revolution and their successors who have advanced the cause of gender equality in Egypt.
The 2024 awardees were:
- Manal AbdelMoneim – An entrepreneur who empowers rural women by providing them with literacy education and support for their businesses in various sectors, such as FMCG, renewable energy, waste management, and agribusiness.
- Namees Arnous – The founder of E7kky Network, a media, PR, and communication company that focuses on women’s empowerment and gender equality.
- Soraya Bahgat – A human rights activist and the founder of Tahrir Bodyguard, an organization that protects female protestors in Egypt and combats sexual harassment. She is also involved with the Girl Generation, an initiative that aims to end female genital mutilation in Africa within one generation.
- Salma Ellakany – The founder of VeryNile Shop, an innovation hub that collaborates with women living along the Nile to create upcycled products, using a human-centric approach.
- Mai Farid – The CEO of the Universal Health Insurance Authority and the Assistant Minister of Finance for Economic Justice. She has led the reform of Universal Health Insurance, with support from France and other donors since 2019.
- Fatma Ibrahim – The founder of The Sex Talk Arabic, a pioneering non-profit organization that promotes human rights and sexual health education.
- Hala Khalil – An Egyptian film director, producer, and writer known for her films that explore the daily lives and identities of Egyptian women. Her work has received critical acclaim and played a significant role in promoting feminism in Egypt, contributing to the rise of female directors in the region.
- Fatma Metwelly – An entrepreneur in the peanut business and the founder and CEO of a peanut factory in Upper Egypt. Her factory produces two tons of peanuts per day, and she is actively engaged in the export business.
- Sara Sabri – The first Egyptian astronaut to travel into space on the Blue Origin NS-22 Flight. She later founded the Deep Space Initiative (DSI), a non-profit organization based in Colorado, USA, that aims to increase accessibility and inclusion in the space field through research and education, while enabling deep space exploration for all humankind.
- Géraldine Samir Tawfik – The director of Samusocial International Egypt, an organization that improves living conditions and rights for vulnerable and marginalized populations of street children, including girls and young mothers.
- Yara Shalaby – The first female rally contestant in Egypt, a champion in desert racing, an Egyptian sports ambassador of the FIA (Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile), and a member of the federation’s Women’s Committee for Motorsport.
- Hanaa Shehata – The Director of Canada Desk at the Ministry of International Cooperation (MOIC), playing a crucial role in facilitating agreements between the governments of Egypt and Canada. She provides constant support to Canada’s development assistance, benefiting over 123,000 beneficiaries in six governorates.
The participating countries, including Canada, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Mexico, and Sweden, have expressed their commitment to increasing female representation in leadership positions across all sectors. They acknowledge that inclusion is not just a buzzword but a driver of innovation and progress.
Canada has a proven track record of supporting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls through its international assistance. With the launch of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, the country has boosted its investments in advancing gender equality and will keep integrating gender equality results into its international assistance efforts. Canada is also keen to explore new partnerships and support innovative approaches in the development landscape.
The Czech Republic prioritizes the protection and empowerment of women and girls in its foreign policy, actively advocating for equal participation in public life, economic independence, and freedom from violence. Through its Transformational Cooperation Program, the Czech Republic supports projects by Czech NGOs that promote gender equality and non-discrimination in partner countries. The Czech Embassy in Cairo is actively involved in championing initiatives that promote women’s rights and empowerment in Egypt.
France has been a longstanding advocate for gender equality and women’s empowerment globally. The country’s feminist foreign policy framework guides its efforts to promote gender equality in all aspects of its foreign relations. France provides support to women’s rights organizations and initiatives in Egypt, especially those focused on combating gender-based violence and promoting economic empowerment.
Germany has also been committed to advancing gender equality and women’s rights in Egypt. The country supports various programs and initiatives that promote women’s economic empowerment, political participation, and access to education and healthcare. Germany’s development cooperation with Egypt includes a focus on promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls.
Mexico has made significant strides in promoting gender equality and women’s rights domestically and internationally. The country has implemented various policies and programs to address gender-based violence, promote women’s economic empowerment, and enhance women’s political participation. Mexico’s collaboration in commemorating Egyptian Women’s Day showcases its commitment to supporting women’s rights globally.
Sweden is renowned for its strong commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment. The country has pursued a feminist foreign policy agenda that prioritizes promoting gender equality and women’s rights in its international relations. Sweden supports initiatives and organizations in Egypt that work towards achieving gender equality and empowering women.
The joint celebration of Egyptian Women’s Day by Canada, Mexico, Sweden, France, Germany, and the Czech Republic reflects the global commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. By collaborating and recognizing the achievements of Egyptian women, these countries aim to inspire inclusion and foster a more equitable and just society for all.
