Joint Press Release: The National Council for Women and UN Women Egypt launch the “Gender Transformative Parenting” Manual

The National Council for Women (NCW), in partnership with UN Women Egypt launched the “Gender Transformative Parenting” manual, within the framework of "Men and Women for Gender Equality" programme implemented by the National Council for Women in partnership with UN Women Egypt, through the generous support of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The event was attended by Dr. Maya Morsy, President of the National Council for Women; Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports; Mr. Jörgen Persson, Charge d’affaires of the Swedish Embassy in Cairo; and Ms. Christine Arab, UN Women Country Representative.

In her keynote speech, Dr. Maya Morsy, President of the National Council for Women, welcomed H.E. Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports for his first visit to the council's headquarters. "All greetings and appreciation to Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, one of the most important and key partners to the National Council for Women in many women- related activities related," stated Dr. Maya Morsy. She also welcomed the success partners, Mr. Jürgen Persson, Charge d’affaires of the Swedish Embassy in Cairo, Ms. Christine Arab, UN Women Country Representative, and Mr. Maged Fawzy, Director of WellSpring Foundation in Egypt.

"I am very proud of the impact that the programme has brought to the lives of the trainees and the families,” mentioned Dr. Morsy. She also praised the manual, developed within the framework of the programme, highlighting its objective which encourages a balanced upbringing and provides a guide to maternity and paternity, thanking all those in charge of the curriculum and the programme in general.

Dr. Morsy concluded her speech with a proposal to Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports, asking him to kindly consider the possibility of offering this training and the curriculum free of charge within the ministry’s youth centers across all Egyptian governorates, stressing that this will contribute to raising the awareness of a large number of families, which will consequently reflect on the society in general, explaining that every mother and father within every family needs this guide and approach that contributes to the upbringing of new generations that respect women and their work and respect the role of the father.

In his speech, Dr. Ashraf Sobhy, Minister of Youth and Sports expressed his deep appreciation for the fruitful cooperation between the Ministry and the National Council for Women regarding programs and projects offered to Egyptian girls and women throughout Egypt, expressing his pleasure to participate in the launch of the "Gender Transformative Parenting" manual.

The Minister emphasized the interest in transformative parenting and achieving gender equality in various fields, including the youth and sports sectors, and encouraging a positive and active personality in society, through the joint efforts by various institutions in implementing programmes and projects that promote this approach.

Dr. Ashraf Sobhy stated that the ministry will increase the number camps organized during the coming period to enhance balanced upbringing in cooperation with the National Council for Women, as part of the ministry's direction towards implementing sports and youth camps in various governorates.

In his speech, Mr. Jörgen Persson Charge d’affaires a.i. of the Swedish Embassy in Cairo stated: “Gender equality contributes to peace and security. Gender equality has the power to create a more peaceful world. Involving women and gender diverse communities in the decision-making process, from peace operations to responses to climate change, helps achieve long-term, sustainable peace.”

In her remarks, Ms. Christine Arab, UN Women Country Representative, thanked the families who participated in the camps and helped to shape the training: “You came forward with courage and persistence to be better parents, and in so doing you are helping to change how communities view parenting and gender equality. UN Women’s work and partnerships in this area are part of our broader engagement in Egypt to raise understanding that gender equality is not a woman’s issue, but rather it is an issue of communities and families, and both prosper when gender equality is realized.” Ms. Arab thanked the NCW and Ministry of Youth and Sport for their crucial support and partnership in this process, and commended their staff who, along with civil society, have become trainers on gender-transformative parenting.

During the event, Mr. Maged Fawzy, Founder and CEO of WellSpring Egypt, highlighted that the objective of the manual, the support provided in its implementation and the partnership between the organizations are three main reasons behind the success of the project. Mr. Fawzy stated that this is the twenty-second event in which WellSpring cooperates with the National Council for Women, explaining that the camps that were organized in several governorates including Cairo, Alexandria, Damietta, and Minya targeted 120 families and witnessed the presence of the entire family, which contributed to maximizing its impact. Mr. Fawzy concluded his remarks by highlighting the role of the camps in strengthening family relations.

The manual aims at enhancing the adoption of gender transformative practices to create more gender equitable spaces at home through challenging stereotypical gender norms and encouraging men and boys to participate in the unpaid care and domestic work. As well as emphasizing the importance of couples’ communication and promoting full access to women’s economic and educational rights.

For more information, please contact:

• Azza Abelhai; Head of Media Department, the National Council for Women at [ Click to reveal ]
• Maha Rateb; Communication and Advocacy Analyst, UN Women Egypt at [ Click to reveal ]

Read in Arabic.