Sweden, Canada, and Mexico celebrate Egyptian Women's Day by honoring 9 Egypt’s female pioneers & Minister of Environment

CAIRO – 21 March 2022: The embassies of Sweden, Canada and Mexico hosted, on Sunday a ceremony honoring Egyptian pioneers of change for the third year in a row at the Official Residence of Canadian Ambassador in Cairo. The ceremony was hosted by the Ambassador of Sweden in Cairo, Mr. Håkan Emsgård, the Ambassador of Mexico in Cairo, Mr. Jose Octavio Trip, and the Chargé d ‘Affairs at the Canadian Embassy, ​​Mr. Matthew Friesen, as part of the celebration of the Egyptian Women's Day.

The ceremony witnessed the honoring of H.E. Egyptian Minister of Environment, Dr. Yasmine Fouad, for her important role in leading the green transformation strategy adopted by the Egyptian government and for its effective regional and global role in climate issues.

Champions of Change Awardees represent the progress of Egyptian women’s leadership in different domains and spheres. The awardees were:

1. Amina Khalil, actress, philanthropist, and honorary ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Egypt. She established herself as an Advocate for women’s and girls’ rights on and off the screen; boldly shedding light on topics hardly ever tackled in mainstream media.
2. Heba Elsewedy, benevolent humanitarian and Founder of “Ahl Masr Foundation” - the first and largest NGO of its kind in the Middle East and Africa dedicated to treating, preventing, and researching trauma and burn injuries.
3. Nadia Saleh, Director General of Contraceptive Commodity Security – lead partner of the Canada funded reproductive health project implemented by UNFPA.
4. Nagwa Ali, Managing Director of Awladi Orphanage since 2017, overseeing a comprehensive early childhood programme that develops orphans health, nutrition and education.
5. Namea Eid: Production Unit Supervisor & Mentor at a Canada-funded project based in Dahshour. She leads on training her community on sourcing and using local natural resources to produce environment friendly products.
6. Dr. Nehad Abulkomsan, Senior Lawyer, Chairwoman of the Egyptian Centre for Women’s Rights - Gender and Development Consultant; devoted to simplifying complicated legal concepts and women empowerment.
7. Dr. Samira Kirollos, renowned international actress and a published author - trained for 16 years as a ballet dancer and 14 years as a violinist; holding her Ph.D. in Drama from Stanford University.
8. Zeinab Hegazy, Communication, Public Affairs & Sustainability Director - CEMEX’s for Egypt & UAE, founding member of the Egyptian Mexican Business Council and Executive Board Member at Assiut Cement Company.

H.E. Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Minister of Environment, stressed the role those Egyptian women play in supporting environmental work, especially at the international level, especially with Egypt taking over the presidency of the COP14 Convention on Biological Diversity in 2018 until the presidency of the COP27 climate conference this year, which we seek by all means to make it a success with the status of human beings and women. Particularly at the heart of the fight against the effects of climate change.

This came during the Minister’s speech during the ceremony honoring and receiving the Champions of Change Award for her outstanding contribution as a model for Egyptian women in the country’s development process, from the ambassadors of Sweden, Canada and Mexico.

The Minister of Environment expressed her happiness with this honor, in appreciation of the efforts of Egyptian women in construction and development, stressing that their efforts in the field of environment locally and globally are the result of a real passion for environmental work, and a belief in the need for hard work and continuous learning from challenges and determination to reach the desired goal of developing the environmental sector.Egypt actively contributes to global action to confront environmental challenges for the benefit of the planet.

The minister pointed to her mother's role as a model for the hardworking and powerful Egyptian woman in raising her children and carrying out her work tasks until now, which is inspiring her to maintain commitment and work to achieve her goal and success.

“It has been estimated that achieving gender equality around the world could increase global GDP by $12 trillion over 10 years. Representation of women at all levels and types of work is key for women to inspire and be inspired. When all voices have an opportunity to be heard, outcomes have a better chance for success.” “Today, we celebrate all the women and girls who support one another, and inspire their communities by making sure women can, and will, succeed.” concluded Sweden’s Ambassador in Cairo, H.E. Mr. Håkan Emsgård.

“This year’s theme for International Women’s Day, Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow, reminds us how climate change exacerbates social inequalities and threatens the health, safety and economic well-being of women and girls. We recognize that environment and climate action will be most effective when women and girls play an active role. Our work ensures that climate-related planning, policy-making and financing address the needs and challenges of women and girls; and support employment and business opportunities for women working in the climate, energy and natural resources sectors”, said Matt Friesen - Chargé d'Affaires, Embassy of Canada to Egypt.

“Over the past years we have been facing unprecedented and major challenges this generation has seen: the COVID-19 pandemic, the unfolding climate change crisis, and the ongoing armed conflicts. In all of these complex challenges, women are disproportionately affected.  In addition, women are not appropriately represented as negotiators and policy makers. There’s no way forward without supporting the inclusion of women and girls in designing and developing strategic responses to world’s complex challenges “, said Mexico’s Ambassador to Cairo, H.E. Mr. José Octavio Tripp.

A press release from the Swedish embassy in Cairo