Monday 10 Mar
Dr. Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development and International Cooperation, participated in the European Investment Bank's (EIB) symposium, 'Expanding Solutions towards Inclusion and Economic Growth,' held to celebrate International Women's Day, in the presence of EIB President Nadia Calviño.
She expressed her gratitude to the European Investment Bank for hosting the symposium, underscoring the significance of gender equality. She stressed the importance of empowering women to excel as leaders, innovators, and change agents. Furthermore, she asserted that addressing global challenges necessitates enhanced female empowerment across all sectors and their inclusion in policy-making, to drive global GDP growth and economic value through inclusivity and flexibility.
The Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and
International Cooperation stated that the Egyptian government prioritizes
gender equality and integrates women into its core development strategies,
notably in education, health, entrepreneurship, and green growth. She
highlighted that women's empowerment is not only a social objective but also a
fundamental driver of stronger families, communities, and economies.
Minister Al-Mashat emphasized the need for clear policies to
measure gender equality progress and create truly enabling environments. She
stated that theoretical equality is insufficient; environments must support
women's leadership and remove social and economic barriers. This requires
structural reforms for equal labor market opportunities, legal protection, and
better work-life balance support.
She underscored the importance of robust public-private
sector and civil society partnerships to realize meaningful progress in gender
equality. She asserted that investment in women's leadership not only is
essential but also contributes to accelerating economic growth and resilience,
as organizations with female leaders demonstrate more inclusive and effective
decision-making.
Furthermore, the Minister stated that accelerating action
necessitates investment in women's economic empowerment, support for female
entrepreneurs, and improved access to finance and opportunities. She also
emphasized the critical role of technology in bridging the gender divide.
In conclusion, the Minister emphasized integrating gender equality into all policies, initiatives and development programs to ensure women's full and equal participation in building a sustainable future.
