Canada, Egypt sign 3 projects worth LE 552M to empower women, support refugees
Rania Al-Mashat, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, and Ulric Shannon, the Canadian Ambassador to Egypt, have signed three new initiatives between the Egyptian and Canadian governments, valued at approximately LE 552 million.
One of the key projects aims to provide comprehensive support to refugee women and girls in Egypt. The project focuses on improving their living conditions and ensuring better access to essential services and protection.
This initiative also promotes gender equality and aligns with Egypt’s ongoing efforts for women’s empowerment. The project will be carried out in partnership with the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) in various regions, including Aswan, Greater Cairo, Alexandria, and Damietta.
Another significant initiative, titled Food for the Future, seeks to empower women through a comprehensive approach to maternal and child nutrition.
This project will enhance the health and nutrition sector, focusing on improving the quality of nutrition and healthcare for mothers, girls, and children. It will promote cooperation between various ministries and complement educational programs like EGY CAN, by strengthening local communities’ ability to improve nutrition.
The project, aimed at fostering the social and economic sustainability of its beneficiaries, will be implemented by UNICEF and the Ministry of Health and Population in several governorates, including Asyut, Qena, Sohag, Sharqia, Gharbia, Beheira, Cairo, and Giza.
Additionally, the Empowering Women and Girls in Adolescence in Upper Egypt (Masarat) project was signed, focusing on empowering young women and girls in Upper Egypt.
This project aligns with Canada’s portfolio on women’s empowerment, promoting gender equality and improving access to reproductive health services.
It complements the efforts toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by concentrating on younger populations and enhancing local communities' capacity to deliver necessary services efficiently.
The project will be executed by the Ministry of Health and Population and the National Council for Women in Asyut and Minya governorates.
Canada’s ongoing cooperation portfolio in Egypt currently includes total funding of approximately CAD 40 million (LE 1.4 billion) for existing projects, covering a wide range of sectors including women’s support, the economy, health, education, and climate-smart agriculture.