Al-Mashat: Empowering Women and Enhancing Their Role Is a Top Priority for the State

Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, participated in the activities of the 9th edition of the Aswan International Women's Film Festival (AIWFF), which was held in Aswan Governorate. 

The festival was attended by Ambassador Angelina Eichhorst, the European Union Ambassador to Egypt, Major General Ismail Kamal, Governor of Aswan, a number of ambassadors, artists, and civil society organizations.

In her speech, H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat emphasized that the festival represents a unique celebration of women's voices, artistic creativity, and cultural leadership. The Minister commended its role as a driver of women's empowerment efforts, being the first film festival in Egypt dedicated to shedding light on women's issues and honoring their success stories, in addition to its support for female filmmakers in Egypt and the Arab region.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat pointed out the importance of the specialized training workshops organized by the festival, led by a selection of the most prominent professionals in the industry.

These workshops contribute to opening new horizons for young people and equipping them with the necessary skills for filmmaking, which enhances Aswan's role as a vibrant cultural center that reflects Egyptian identity.

In the same context, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat reiterated that the festival embodies the state's commitment to achieving gender equality and comprehensive development, in line with Egypt's Vision 2030, which places the cultural, social, and economic empowerment of women at the heart of its priorities. This is also aligned with the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030, approved by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, which is based on four main pillars: political empowerment, economic empowerment, social empowerment, and protection.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat also highlighted the National Human Rights Strategy, launched in 2021, and its role in promoting the principles of equality and non-discrimination, ensuring women's full participation in public life, and addressing gender-based violence.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat added that through partnership with the United Nations system, and under the umbrella of the Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework between Egypt and the United Nations 2023-2027, Egypt is working to expand women's access to education, decent work, leadership positions, and protection from violence.

The Minister noted the progress made in the field of empowerment, pointing out that Egyptian women currently occupy 25% of the seats in Parliament and hold four ministerial portfolios, in addition to the initiatives being implemented, such as the "Closing the Gender Gap Accelerator" in cooperation with the World Economic Forum, which brings together more than 100 companies to support women's economic participation.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al-Mashat reviewed the Ministry's efforts in providing development financing that takes gender issues into account in the education, health, and small enterprise development sectors, alongside a number of qualitative initiatives such as "Hayah Karima," "EU-Tamken," and the "Safe Work Environment for Women in the Tourism Sector" project in collaboration with the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, and supporting education reform in partnership with the World Bank.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat concluded her speech by affirming that storytelling is the essence of cultural and societal change. She praised the role of the Aswan Festival in giving women a space for expression, promoting creativity, and redefining concepts of leadership and artistic excellence.

Within the framework of the festival's activities, a delegation from the Ministry of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, the European Union, and a number of relevant entities visited the Kom Ombo electricity production station in Aswan, the "Dawi" camp at the Aswan Secondary School, in addition to the "Drinking Water Management" program, as well as a field visit to small and micro enterprises funded by the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency in cooperation with the French Development Agency.