Orange Digital Centers for Women: A Success Story Empowering Egyptian Women to Achieve Their "Own Business" Dreams

For seven consecutive years, Orange Egypt has remained committed to empowering women across the country through its corporate social responsibility initiatives, with Orange "Women Digital Centers" playing a pivotal role in realizing this vision by expanding their reach across multiple governorates. These centers have empowered thousands of women by enhancing their digital skills, improving their employment prospects, and providing the tools needed to start their own businesses, ultimately leading to greater financial independence and personal empowerment for many women across Egypt.

 

Since its launch in 2017, in partnership with the Childhood and Development Association in Asyut, the initiative has expanded significantly, growing by 2024 to cover six governorates, with the number of centers increasing from 10 to 16, and two more centers set to open in Aswan before the year's end. This ambitious expansion aligns with Orange Egypt's ongoing efforts to elevate women's roles in society and enable them to play a more active part in economic development.

Spanning from Asyut to Sohag, Qena, Cairo, Luxor, and Aswan, "Orange Digital Centers for Women" serve as technological hubs that welcome women from all backgrounds, providing them with vital resources such as internet access, tablets, display screens, and laptops. More importantly, the centers deliver tailored training programs designed to professionally and practically assist women, including an accredited program from the International Labor Organization (ILO) that teaches the skills needed to launch and manage small businesses successfully.

 

As part of a broader strategic vision, Orange Egypt has partnered with 14 local NGOs across various governorates to establish new digital centers and replicate successful training programs, maximizing the initiative's reach and impact. This collaboration reflects Orange Egypt's commitment to making a lasting, tangible difference in the lives of women.

 

Bridging the gap between aspirations and reality, Orange "Women Digital Centers" work with microfinance institutions to provide funding for women who have completed the training successfully. Additionally, the centers offer technical and advisory support, empowering women to effectively utilize their microloans to launch and sustain their entrepreneurial ventures.

 

In recognition of these efforts, Orange Egypt has participated in the “Amazing Women” competition, a global initiative that celebrates outstanding women who have started their businesses after completing the center's training. Over the years, 13 women from various governorates have won the competition, earning significant financial support to grow their businesses and ensure long-term sustainability.

 

Commenting on this achievement, Ms. Laila El-Nofely, Corporate Social Responsibility Senior Manager at Orange Egypt, said, " Orange Women Digital Centers” have a profound impact, proving that mastering digital skills significantly increases women's chances of achieving financial independence, combating poverty, and integrating effectively into society. This success validates Orange Egypt's corporate social responsibility strategy, which leverages our technology leadership to promote gender equality and enhance the roles of women and girls within the community".