In commemoration of International Women’s Day, UN Women Egypt participates in the annual ‘Ring the Bell for Gender Equality’ event
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To mark International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”, the annual "Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” event was organized on Thursday, 20 March 2025 by The Egyptian Exchange - EGX - in cooperation with IFC - International Finance Corporation, the World Federation of Stock Exchanges, UN Women Egypt, the United Nations Sustainable Stock Exchanges Initiative (SSE), and United Nations Global Compact Egypt along with the National Council for Women (NCW) and a number of development partners.
The event was attended by Mr. Ahmed El-Sheikh, Chairman of the Egyptian Exchange (EGX), who opened the trading session, in the presence of Ms. Heba El-Serafy, Vice Chairman of the EGX; Dr. Marianne Kaldas, Executive Director of the Egyptian Center for Optional Arbitration and Settlement of Non-Banking Financial Disputes and a member of the National Council for Women (NCW); Mr. Omar Seydi, Regional Director of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for North Africa; Mr. Saad Sabra, IFC Country Manager for Egypt, Ms. Marwa Alameldeen, Officer-in-Charge at UN Women Egypt Countr office; and Ms. Walaa El-Husseini, Executive Director of the Egyptian Network for the UN Global Compact.
In his opening speech, Mr. Ahmed El-Sheikh, Chairman of the Egyptian Stock Exchange, stated that celebrating International Women's Day reflects the Egyptian Stock Exchange’s commitment to supporting equality for all women, promoting their economic empowerment, and ensuring they gain all their rights. This is to enhance women’s effective participation in economic fields, particularly in the stock market. He added that significant developments in legislation related to the capital market and the work environment within institutions and companies in the sector have enabled more highly competent women to assume leadership positions, whether in institutions, listed companies, or members of the Egyptian Stock Exchange.
"We strive to create an equal environment that bridge any gender gaps and enhance women's capabilities and skills to support their empowerment and ensure they gain all their rights. This is within the framework of achieving the goals of the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030, which aims for women to hold 30% of senior administrative positions by 2030,” El Sheikh stated.
In her remarks, Ms. Marwa Alameldeen, Officer-in-Charge, UN Women Egypt, stated, “As we commemorate International Women’s Day this year, we also mark Beijing+30, reflecting on three decades of commitment to gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, both globally and in Egypt”. She also added: “It is crucial to accelerate progress toward women’s economic empowerment by investing in their employability and leadership skills, which are key drivers for achieving sustainable development.”
The 2025 “Ring the Bell for Gender Equality” event marks the eleventh year of the partnership with the Egyptian Stock Exchange and development partners to promote women’s economic empowerment through encouraging Egyptian business to create more opportunities for women in various fields. UN Women Egypt continues to work closely with its national partners and private sector companies to enhance women’s participation in the labour market and promoting the adoption of the Women’s Empowerment Principles to enhance gender equality in the workplace, marketplace and community.