What to know about 2nd female governor in Egypt: Manal Awad

CAIRO – 1 September 2018: For the second time in Egypt, a woman was appointed as governor. Manal Awad Mikhail was sworn in on Friday before Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi as the new governor of Damietta.

Egypt had appointed the first-ever female governor, Nadia Ahmed Abdou, to the governorate of Beheira in a reshuffle last year. The Beheira governor was changed in Thursday's reshuffle.

Mikhail, 51, was previously a deputy for the Giza governor. As deputy governor, Mikhail was responsible for the development of disadvantaged communities in the Giza governorate.

Mikhail was also responsible for coordinating a number of activities with both local and international non-governmental organizations. She managed a number of local projects.

Moreover, she was responsible for street vendors and for a campaign to ensure that they operate legally. She received UNESCO Learning City Award in 2017.

She also received the ‘State Encouragement Award’ in 2017 in the science category for her research and studies into the immune systems of livestock, including on the impact of specific strains of viruses and infections.

Mikhail graduated with a degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Benha followed by a Master’s Degree and a Ph.D. in Natural Sciences from the University of Alexandria in 1999.

Former Damietta governor Ismail Taha moved to the post of Kafr al-Sheikh governor.
New governors and deputy governors swore oath Thursday before President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.

According to the names published by official statements, five governors will remain in their posts, while former Damietta governor Ismail Taha moved to the post of Kafr al-Sheikh governor.

After swearing oath, the newly appointed governors and their deputies met with President Sisi, who ordered them to focus on meeting people’s needs and curbing unaffordable high prices in the local markets, according to a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Basam Radi on Thursday.

The governors are set to take post during Sisi's second term, as according to Egyptian law, the governors' terms end by the end of the presidential term they were appointed in.

Khaled Fouda, governor of South Sinai governorate, Abdel Hamid al-Haggan of Qena, and Ahmed Abdullah of the Red Sea governorate will remain in their posts.

Adel al-Ghadban of Port Said, and Mohamed al-Zamlout of the New Valley will also stay in their current posts.