Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt, Canada launch $11m partnership to empower women
In a significant move to strengthen women’s rights and promote sustainable development, Egypt’s Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, and Canada’s Ambassador to Egypt, Mr. Louis Dumas, have signed three new partnership agreements worth approximately 552 million EGP (about $11 million USD).
The agreements mark a deepening of ties between the two countries and reflect their shared commitment to improving the lives of women and girls across Egypt while advancing national and global development goals. Dr. Al-Mashat warmly praised the fruitful cooperation between Egypt and Canada, highlighting the important role Canadian-supported projects play in boosting progress in sectors such as women’s empowerment, economic and social development, health, and education.
The first project, implemented in collaboration with the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), aims to provide holistic support to refugee women and girls living in Egypt. The initiative focuses on the most vulnerable, offering improved access to essential services, community integration, and protection, while promoting gender equality. This project will operate in Aswan, Greater Cairo, Alexandria, and Damietta.
The second major project, “Food for the Future,” will work to improve nutrition and healthcare for mothers, girls, and children in Egypt. Delivered in partnership with UNICEF and the Ministry of Health, it will reach areas in Upper and Lower Egypt, including Assiut, Qena, Sohag, Sharqia, Gharbia, Beheira, Cairo, and Giza. By enhancing the skills and resources of local communities, this project aims to foster lasting change and improve families’ well-being.
A third agreement, known as “Masarat,” will focus on empowering teenage girls and young women in Upper Egypt, particularly in Assiut and Minya. Led by the Ministry of Health and Population and the National Council for Women, this program seeks to expand access to reproductive health services, encourage gender equality, and build resilient communities, in line with Egypt’s sustainable development goals.
With over 1.4 billion EGP in ongoing Canadian-supported initiatives, these new projects expand a robust portfolio that already spans education, smart agriculture, economic development, and healthcare throughout Egypt—from major cities to rural and underserved regions.
These partnerships symbolize a united effort to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future for Egyptian women and girls—one where every individual has the opportunity to thrive.