A landmark conference in Cairo, organized by Egypt’s National Council for Women, Al-Azhar, and the Women Development Organization, has underscored the critical importance of female entrepreneurship as a driver for economic growth and social progress across the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states. The event, held under the patronage of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, convened high-level officials and experts to discuss best practices for empowering women.
High-Level Session on Entrepreneurship Best Practices
A central feature of the conference was a dynamic session titled “Women and Entrepreneurship: Best Practices.” Chaired by Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Minister of Family and Social Services for the Republic of Turkey, the panel brought together a prominent group of specialists to share insights and successful models from their respective countries.
In a recorded address, Dr. Sima Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women, reinforced the theme by stating that empowering women is a global imperative for building more just and inclusive societies, highlighting UN programs designed to align female participation with Sustainable Development Goals.
Egypt’s Empowerment Model and Regional Success Stories
Minister Göktaş commended the exceptional efforts of Egypt and the OIC in presenting pioneering models for women’s empowerment. She emphasized the importance of female participation in entrepreneurship to foster innovation and contribute significantly to national GDP.
Dr. Raafat Abbas, Advisor to the Head of Egypt’s Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA), outlined the nation’s clear strategies for developing, educating, and economically empowering women. He pointed to joint projects with international institutions aimed at training women to produce high-quality, competitive products for both local and global markets.
Providing a regional perspective, Professor Topu Khanum Gasimzadeh of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences revealed that women hold a large percentage of leadership positions and constitute over 50% of entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan. She attributed this success to government policies that guarantee social and economic rights, promote transparency, and ensure equal opportunities.
The Role of Discourse in Shaping Economic Opportunities
Panelists also explored the vital role of media and cultural narratives in supporting female founders. Aroub Al-Abadi, Media Spokesperson for Jordan’s Ministry of Social Development, argued that conscious religious and media discourse is crucial for reshaping the image of women in society and bolstering their economic leadership by presenting positive role models.
This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Amani Asfour, President of the African Alliance for Women Empowerment. She stressed that highlighting luminous historical figures in religious discourse, such as Sayyida Khadija, reinforces the legitimacy of women’s work and economic empowerment, ensuring they have equal opportunities to achieve their goals without discrimination.
About The National Council for Women
The National Council for Women (NCW) is the national machinery responsible for promoting women’s rights in Egypt. It is mandated with proposing public policies related to women’s development and advancing women’s empowerment in all fields.
Source: Iqraa24
