US embassy celebrates Egyptian women with bold visions

CAIRO – 9 March 2017: The U.S. Embassy in Cairo held a symposium on Wednesday to celebrate the publication of the book “Daughters of the Nile,” on the occasion of the International Women’s Day.

“Daughters of the Nile,” published in August 2016, is a collection of autobiographical presentations by 38 Egyptian women who have promoted change through their bold visions.

According to a press release by the embassy, the event was organized in collaboration with the Women’s Association of Cairo. It featured panel discussions with some of the women profiled in the book.

“This was a great opportunity to reflect on the stories of these remarkable women.  They have been real agents for change in promoting women’s inclusion and advocating for gender equality,” Eden Goldberger, vice-chair of the Women’s Association of Cairo said.

“It was an honor to host this event, and I look forward to our continuing efforts to advance women’s issues here and around the world,” Goldberger said.

The book was compiled by Professor Samia Spencer of Auburn University. Among the women profiled in the book are Rania Al-Mashat, assistant sub‐governor and head of the Monetary Policy Department at the Central Bank of Egypt and Fayza Haikal, the first Egyptian woman to earn a PhD in Egyptology and the first female president of the International Association of Egyptologist.

Al Arabiya Cairo Bureau Chief Randa Abu Al-Azm moderated the discussions and Hoda Badran, Head of the Egyptian Feminist Union, made the closing remarks.

This year’s theme for the International Women’s Day is “Be Bold for Change,” a vision which had been embodied by all the women leaders at the embassy’s event, the press release said.