The EU pays particular attention to the implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2021, and to supporting Southern Mediterranean partners in delivering on their commitments to gender equality and girls' and women's empowerment, in line also with the universal 2030 Agenda. Emphasis is given to ensuring girl's and women's physical and psychological integrity, promoting the social and economic rights and empowerment of women and girls, their access to justice, education, health care and other social services, strengthening their voice and political participation and shifting the institutional culture to deliver on these commitments.
Our role is to carry out the project in the field, in cooperation with NGOs and local entities, to help the women become more autonomous. The economic aspect of the programme works to reduce the unemployment rate among women, increase their skills and provide them with micro-loans. We’ve helped 80 papyrus paper artisans in Charquiya, 200 women at home who peel artichokes in Beheira, 200 milk sellers in Beni Suef and 60 carpet weavers in Menoufia.
- Engy Amin, Manager of the EU-funded 'Spring Forward for Women programme' in Egypt