Sweden, Canada and Mexico celebrate Egyptian Women’s Day with 9 female pioneers from Egypt and the Minister for Environment in the lead-press photo
CAIRO – 21 March 2022: The embassies of Sweden, Canada and Mexico hosted, on Sunday a ceremony honoring Egyptian pioneers of change for the third year in a row at the Official Residence of Canadian Ambassador in Cairo. The ceremony was hosted by the Ambassador of Sweden in Cairo, Mr. Håkan Emsgård, the Ambassador of Mexico in Cairo, Mr. Jose Octavio Trip, and the Chargé d ‘Affairs at the Canadian Embassy, Mr. Matthew Friesen, as part of the celebration of the Egyptian Women’s Day.
H.E. was honored at the ceremony. The ceremony honored H.E. Yasmine Fouad as the Egyptian Minister of Environment for her leadership in the green transformation strategy. She also received recognition for her effective regional and international role in climate issues.
Champions of Change Awardees represent the progress of Egyptian women’s leadership in different domains and spheres. These were the awardees:
- Amina KhalilActress, philanthropist, honorary ambassador for UNFPA Egypt. She established herself as an Advocate for women’s and girls’ rights on and off the screen; boldly shedding light on topics hardly ever tackled in mainstream media.
- Heba Elsewedy, benevolent humanitarian and Founder of “Ahl Masr Foundation” – the first and largest NGO of its kind in the Middle East and Africa dedicated to treating, preventing, and researching trauma and burn injuries.
- Nadia Saleh, Director General of Contraceptive Commodity Security – lead partner of the Canada funded reproductive health project implemented by UNFPA.
- Nagwa AliSince 2017, Managing Director of Awladi Orphanage. He oversees a comprehensive early childhood program that promotes nutrition, health, and education for orphans.
- Namea Eid: Production Unit Supervisor & Mentor for a Canada-funded project based out of Dahshour. She leads training for her community on how to source and use local natural resources to make environmentally friendly products.
- Dr. Nehad Aulkomsan, Senior Lawyer, Chairwoman of the Egyptian Centre for Women’s Rights – Gender and Development Consultant; devoted to simplifying complicated legal concepts and women empowerment.
- Dr. Samira KirollosInternationally recognized actress and author. She has a Ph.D. from Stanford University in Drama. She trained as a dancer in ballet for 16 years and a violinist for 14 years.
- Zeinab Hegazy, Communication, Public Affairs & Sustainability Director – CEMEX’s for Egypt & UAE, founding member of the Egyptian Mexican Business Council and Executive Board Member at Assiut Cement Company.
H.E. Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, highlighted the importance of Egyptian women in supporting environmental work, particularly at international levels. This is especially true with Egypt taking over the presidency COP14 Convention on Biological Diversity in 2018, and the presidency COP27 climate conference in 2018. We seek to make this a success with the status for women and human beings. This is especially true in the fight against climate change.
This came during the Minister’s speech during the ceremony honoring and receiving the Champions of Change Award for her outstanding contribution as a model for Egyptian women in the country’s development process, from the ambassadors of Sweden, Canada and Mexico.
The Minister for Environment expressed her joy at receiving this honor, in appreciation for the efforts made by Egyptian women in construction, development, and maintenance of the environment. She stressed that their efforts locally and globally were the result of a passion for environmental work and a belief in the need to learn from and persevere with challenges to achieve the desired goal of environmental sustainability.
Minister Yasmine pointed to her mother’s example as an inspiration for her. She was a hardworking, powerful Egyptian woman who raised her children. She also carried out her work tasks until now.
“It has been estimated that achieving gender equality around the world could increase global GDP by $12 trillion over 10 years. Women can inspire and be inspired if there is representation at all levels and in all types of work. When all voices have an opportunity to be heard, outcomes have a better chance for success.” “Today, we celebrate all the women and girls who support one another, and inspire their communities by making sure women can, and will, succeed.” concluded Sweden’s Ambassador in Cairo, H.E. Mr. Håkan Emsgård.
“This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow, reminds us how climate change exacerbates social inequalities and threatens the health, safety and economic well-being of women and girls. We know that climate and environment action will be more effective if women and girls take an active part. Our work ensures that climate-related planning, policy-making and financing address the needs and challenges of women and girls; and support employment and business opportunities for women working in the climate, energy and natural resources sectors”, said Matt Friesen – Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Canada to Egypt.
“Over the past years we have been facing unprecedented and major challenges this generation has seen: the COVID-19 pandemic, the unfolding climate change crisis, and the ongoing armed conflicts. Women are particularly affected by these complex issues. A further problem is that women are not adequately represented in the roles of policy makers and negotiators. There’s no way forward without supporting the inclusion of women and girls in designing and developing strategic responses to world’s complex challenges “, said Mexico’s Ambassador to Cairo, H.E. Mr. José Octavio Tripp.
A press release from Sweden’s Embassy in Cairo