Embassy of Switzerland, UNFPA conclude 5-year program supporting refugee and migrant women and girls

 The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Egypt and the Embassy of Switzerland in Egypt marked the closure of a 5-year joint program which aimed at improving access to quality response services to gender-based violence against women and girls (GBVAWG) with special attention to the needs of the most vulnerable women and girls including refugees, migrants, and host community members. 

The event brought together Dr. Andreas Baum, Ambassador of Switzerland to Egypt, Laila Baker, Regional Director for Arab States in UNFPA, Bernhard Soland, Deputy Director of International Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland in Egypt, and Germaine Haddad, UNFPA Representative in Egypt ai. 

The program, implemented by UNFPA and funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), utilized strategic and successful partnerships with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Youth and Development Consultancy Institute Etijah. 

The program strengthened comprehensive services to prevent and respond to GBVAWG through the “Women and Girls Safe Spaces” model and was able to provide life-saving services for women and girls affected by the Sudan Crisis. UNFPA and its partners were able to support access to reproductive health services through direct referral systems and multi-sectoral response to women and girls subjected to violence is provided through enhanced institutional capacities. Under the program, UNFPA worked closely with government, civil society and UN partners to advocate for the protection and health needs of women affected by crises. 

UNFPA established three new Safe Spaces under the program, reaching a total of 13 Safe Spaces by the end of the Program located in Cairo, Alexandria, Damietta, Sharqeya and Aswan.

The “Women and Girls Safe Spaces” are physical platforms designed for women and girls including refugees, migrants and their host communities to access GBVAWG response services – including psychosocial aid, legal services, counseling, therapy, and referral to health services. It is a place where they can also socialize and re-build their social networks, integrate with the local community, and acquire different vocational skills. 

The program supported over 141,000 women with immediate life-saving services, 70 percent of whom are Sudanese affected by conflict who received case management services, counseling, individual and group therapy, reproductive health services, and dignity kits. The program also engaged community members, including men and boys, with awareness activities on GBVAWG, harmful practices, and reproductive health using creative tools like football, community cinema and activity games.

“Switzerland believes that standing with women and girls in times of crisis is not only a humanitarian duty, but a shared responsibility. We are proud to support Egypt and our partners in ensuring that those most affected by conflict can find protection, dignity and a path forward,” Dr. Andreas Baum, Ambassador of Switzerland to Egypt.

“During conflicts, natural disasters and public health emergencies, the needs of women and girls are often overlooked, and they are disproportionately affected. That is why we are in dire need of programs like this,” Germaine Haddad, UNFPA Representative in Egypt ai, said. “While we are concluding this joint program today, I am confident that its impact will continue resonating with the women and girls we served.”