USAID/Egypt Launches New Women Economic, Social Empowerment Program

On Tuesday, USAID/Egypt launched the five-year Women’s Economic and Social Empowerment Program, according to a statement released by the U.S. embassy in Cairo.

The statement noted that the $39 million (approximately 727 million EGP) program will benefit over 200,000 Egyptian women with a focus on improving the private sector work environment for women, expanding financial inclusion, and reducing violence against women and girls.

"The new program will reach 15 million Egyptians via a public awareness campaign to raise support for women’s rights and elevate their roles in society," the statement added.

In this regard, Chargé d'Affaires Nicole Shampaine emphasized the significance of the program in her keynote remarks at the launch of the program, saying “Empowerment does not simply mean that a woman has a job. It means that she has the same financial opportunities as men and can live free from violence. These elements are interrelated and must be tackled together.”

Shampaine was joined at the launch by senior Egyptian government officials,  Senior Official for the State Department’s Office of Global Women’s Issues Katrina Fotovat, USAID Acting Mission Director Margaret Sancho, and members of civil society.

It’s worth mentioning that the Women's Economic and Social Empowerment Program will be implemented by Pathfinder International in partnership with the Ministry of International Cooperation, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and the National Council for Women.