In a virtual setting, the British Embassy in Cairo celebrated the International Day of the Girl Child on October 11st to highlight and address the needs and challenges facing girls worldwide.
The embassy also invited a young woman, 18-year-old Fatma Al Hefnawy, to step into the British Ambassador’s shoes, meet with the Ambassador and the embassy staff to learn about the work they do, in celebration of the International Day of the Girl.
The ‘Girls Take Over’ initiative is organized by the Plan International Corporation, in partnership with the Ministry of Social Solidarity (MoSS) and the Canadian Embassy in Cairo.
On this day, embassies, ministries and international organizations host young women to give them an opportunity to experience leadership positions in an effort to promote young women’s right to leadership, showcase opportunities they have awaiting them and provide them with a platform to be heard.
After meeting with British Ambassador to Egypt Sir Geoffrey Adams, Al Hefnawy met with two senior women in the Embassy, Her Majesty’s Consul in Cairo and the Department for International Trade Country Director, to discuss how women navigate their roles in leadership positions and the challenges they face.
Al Hefnawy also met with the embassy’s communications and social development and gender teams to talk about this year’s International Day of the Girl’s key message on online harassment of girls and cyberbullying. This follows an open letter written by young women around the world to the world’s most influential social media platforms calling on them to create better tools to help them report online abuse and harassment.
"We must work together to stand against bullying because it can really destroy anyone. This is a very important topic and I am happy I participated today and learned a lot. I am proud to have spoken with the British Ambassador to Egypt," said Fatma Al Hefnawy.
On his part, Adams said: “It was a pleasure to host Fatma in honour of the International Day of the Girl."
He added that the UK has been a huge advocate of women’s empowerment and supporting women’s political and economic inclusion, praising Egypt’s strong commitment to promoting gender equality and their efforts to empower young women to reject all forms of violence.
"We look forward to strengthening our partnership in this area," he concluded.
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