Milestones Achieved in EmpowerHer Project: A Path Toward Gender Equality and Environmental Justice

The EmpowerHer Project in Egypt, generously supported by the Slovenian Embassy in Cairo, has marked a significant step forward in addressing the challenges faced by rural women in Egypt. Through targeted interventions, the project has empowered women with knowledge of their labor and environmental rights, while fostering awareness and advocacy to promote equitable and safe working conditions.

Comprehensive Mapping of Critical Rural Areas Where Women are Discriminated Against, Marginalized, and Exposed to Hazardous Work

The foundation of the project was a thorough mapping of rural areas where women face discrimination, marginalization, and hazardous working conditions. Through extensive research and collaboration with environmental, agricultural agencies, NGOs, and local stakeholders, critical areas were identified and documented in a comprehensive mapping report. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) tools were utilized to visualize these findings, pinpointing priority areas requiring urgent intervention.

Check out our report: LINK

Raising Awareness Through Education and Advocacy

EmpowerHer prioritized raising awareness about the health risks, unsafe working conditions, and environmental impacts that rural women endure. Educational and promotional campaigns reached a wide audience, delivering:

• Promotional campaign on Microjustice’s social media channels,

• Original workshop visuals, demonstrating the program’s outreach and the active participation of the local population.

•  articles published on Microjustice and partner websites.

These campaigns were instrumental in educating the public and generating conversations about the systemic challenges faced by rural women.

To complement the online efforts, five workshops were organized in Qaliobia, Kafr El Sheikh, Sharqia, Quseir, and Ras Ghareb. These workshops gathered an impressive 200 participants, with 100 women interviewed and 100 engaged in focus group discussions. These events illuminated the everyday legal struggles faced by women, highlighted their urgent need for legal assistance, and inspired a call to action among local men to support safer working environments for women.

The participation of the Slovenian Ambassador in one of the workshops and field visits underscored the project’s importance and amplified its visibility among both local communities and broader audiences.

A Toolkit for Women’s Rights

One of the project’s landmark achievements is the development of a Toolkit for Women’s Labor and Environmental Rights. Tailored to the needs of women in the identified regions, this toolkit offers practical legal guidelines and resources to help them address their vulnerabilities and navigate their legal challenges. Additionally, the toolkit has been integrated into the Digital Legal Aid Platform, ensuring that women can access labor and environmental legal services at an affordable price.

Call for Action and Final Recommendations

As a culmination of the project, a Call-for-Action event was held in Cairo. This event served as a platform to showcase the project’s outcomes and hand over the final narrative report to stakeholders, including legal aid providers and embassy representatives. The event presents a panel discussion, outcomes of the awareness campaigns and workshops, and key recommendations for addressing systemic labor and environmental injustices.

The event was a resounding success, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among legal professionals, government bodies, and NGOs to tackle the pressing challenges identified during the project. Attendees were encouraged to take decisive action to implement the recommendations and advocate for systemic change.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the Slovenian Embassy for recognizing the vital importance of Microjustice’s work in protecting the legal rights of agricultural women. Special thanks go to our invaluable local partner, Ahmed El-Seidi Law Firm, and to the dedicated contributors who brought this project to life: Amena Sharaf, Environmental Justice and Gender Equality Consultant; Mona Ezzat; and our exceptional legal team, including Asmaa Elmalky, Shahinez Adel, Hala Doma (Partner at El-Horrya Law Office), Nesmaa Kathab (Founder of SANAD Foundation), Ahmed Galal, and Salwa Beshir. Your commitment and expertise have been instrumental in driving this impactful initiative forward.

A Legacy of Empowerment

The EmpowerHer Project has achieved significant milestones in its mission to promote gender equality and environmental justice. By raising awareness, equipping women with vital tools, and engaging key stakeholders, the project has laid a strong foundation for sustainable and inclusive development in Egypt’s rural communities.

Thanks to the unwavering support of the Slovenian Embassy in Cairo, EmpowerHer has not only highlighted the struggles of rural women but also provided them with the means to overcome these challenges, marking a transformative journey toward empowerment and justice.

“The road to an active representation and legal rights protection of women is a long road that none of us can travel alone ( https://microjusticeegypt.org/lap/women-toolkit-0-ar/ )”.