As part of the project “Support to the EU Gender Action Plan III for Egypt”, North South Consultants Exchange (NSCE) supported the development of the EU-EUMS joint campaign for ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence’ this year. NSCE aimed to render communication and visibility on EU engagement on gender equality more evident in its external action, policy, and programming work and to establish grounds for a Team Europe approach for efficient communication and maximization of EU outreach.

In the framework of EU GAP III (2021-25) for Egypt, the campaign presents the achievements and plans in Egypt for EU support in gender equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE). In line with the Team Europe Approach, the EU Delegation of Egypt and European Member States (EUMS) of Italy, Spain, Finland, and the Netherlands decided to frame the EU GAP III event of 2022 within the context of the ‘16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence’.

This annual international campaign kicks off on the 25th of November -the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women- and runs until the 10th of December -Human Rights Day. Initiated by feminists and the Center for Women’s Global Leadership (CWFGL) in 1991, the theme of the 2022 campaign is dedicated to Ending Femicide. In support of this civil society-led campaign, the United Nations launched in 2008 the UNiTE by 2030 to End Violence against Women campaign. Under the banner of ‘ORANGE THE WORLD’, the global campaign provides an umbrella for organisations and individuals worldwide to raise awareness on the prevention and elimination of GBV and advocate for freedom of all forms of GBV against women and girls. 

One of the main achievements to enhance EU outreach during the campaign is the pioneering Team Europe visual identity developed by NSCE for the branding of all activities implemented by the partners of the EU-EUMS Gender Group. This was backed by a Communication Plan developed by NSCE in consultation with the Gender Group.

The main objectives for NSCE were to enhance EU communication, visibility & outreach in the framework of GAP III. More specifically, NSCE aimed to render communication and visibility on EU engagement on gender equality more evident in its external action, policy, and programming work and to establish grounds for a Team Europe approach for efficient communication and maximization of EU outreach.

Project: Support to the EU Gender Action Plan III for Egypt

For the occasion on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the EU Ambassador to Egypt, H.E. Christian Berger, wearing an orange tie, reiterated the EU commitment towards promoting gender equality and freedom from all forms of gender-based violence and preventing gender-based violence in a video statement. At the country level, the Ambassador noted their engagement to eliminate FGM, early marriage, and other harmful practices. The EU Ambassador highlighted this violation of human rights, referring to statistical data. Globally, 1 out 3 women is subject to violence at least once in their lifetime afflicting on their physical and psychological well-being. The EU underlined their engagement to promote equal opportunities for women and girls in all spheres of social and work life. Especially attention was given to the EU Gender Action Plan strong commitment and focus on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment. In addition, the Team Europe approach to GEWE was reaffirmed. The statement entailed a tribute to all women and girls.

On 26th of November, a group photo/GIF of the EU Ambassador and the EU DEL Staff was shared on social media platforms, indexing the campaign’s joint branding. In addition to the following bi-lingual statement: “EUinEgypt stands in solidarity with women who are victims or survivors of gender-based violence – no more violence against women!”.

In another video statement featuring an orange-themed group photo, key messages were communicated by several EUMS Ambassadors (Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, Cyprus, France, and Italy). The Ambassadors highlighted the priority of the Team Europe approach to say “No to violence against women and girls” and stand together to enable women, support promote the role of women in society, support women, and increase awareness. In addition, the video enhanced the visibility of the EUMS programming work in Egypt, one of the key objectives of the “Support to the EU Gender Action Plan III for Egypt” project.

On November 26, the EU marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on the ‘Yes Yoga Day: Combatting Violence Against Women’ at the Kundalini Grand Pyramids venue in Cairo. The EU supported the event in partnership with the Egyptian Ministry of Social Solidarity, the National Council for Women, Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, and Alex Bank.

The Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation presented the Spanish-funded study of the Tadwein Center for Gender Studies “Girl’s Early Marriage in Egypt: Determinants and Effects” on the harmful practice of early/child marriage in Egypt on November 28 at the Cerventes Institute in Giza.

During a two-days field visit to Minya from November 30 to December 1, three EUMS project were on the agenda. The first day included a visit to the HQ at the Etsa Centre to visit communities enrolled in the Finish-funded “Inclusive Economic Horizon for Discriminated Women” project, implemented by CEOSS, and a visit to Athar Startups. The two-day trip kick-off at the Etsa Centre included a presentation of hand-made and branded pieces by female entrepreneurs. Funded by Finland, Athar Startsups targets women’s employment in the field of climate finance.

A visit was paid to the Abo Korkas Hotel & Vocational Training Center, established in 2009 with the support of the Spanish Cooperation. In the framework of the long-term project “Support decent work for vulnerable groups in Upper Egypt through micro-entrepreneurship, with emphasis on Tourism”, targeting especially women and young people, including people with disabilities, a community-based kitchen workshop highlighted the impact of the project during the field visit. The focus of the project is on capacity building, training and technical support in entrepreneurship, marketing, financial management and financial inclusion in the tourism and hospitality sectors. Targeting key sectors to Egypt’s economy, this intervention aims to improve inclusive and sustainable growth and productive and decent employment for all by supporting the start-up of microbusinesses in the field of tourism and to strengthen already existing microbusinesses. The Association of Upper Egypt for Education and Development (AUEED) and the Foundation for Social Promotion (FPSC) were invited as key stakeholders, having established the Centre.

Another Spanish-funded programme on Girls in Sports and Culture geared towards empowering young girls breaking cultural barriers to support equal participation of women in all spheres of public life was as well highlighted during the visit.

See also: EUMS Video Statement