• Dr. Rania Al-Mashat: Empowering women economically is essential to bridging development gaps and increasing growth rates. The program supports the state's efforts to develop Upper Egypt.

• Dr. Hiba Handousa: The El Nidaa Foundation works to bring about a radical change in the lives of communities and individuals through the empowerment of women and girls.

• The U.S. Ambassador to Egypt: The program has achieved significant success in many villages in Upper Egypt.

• The Social and Economic Empowerment Program in Upper Egypt has enhanced efforts to empower girls in 12 local communities in the governorates of Qena and Minya.

H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, attended the closing ceremony of the Social and Economic Empowerment Program for Girls in Upper Egypt, organized by the Egypt Foundation  for Integrated Development "El Nidaa" and the Coptic Evangelical Organization for Social Services, in collaboration with the program’s funder, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). 

The event was attended by Ms. Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG).

Also present at the closing ceremony were Dr. Hiba Handousa, Managing Director, Egypt Network for Integrated Development "El-Nidaa" and Consultant to the Board of Trustees, Herro Mustafa Garg, U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, Sean Jones, of USAID's Mission Director in Egypt, Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt, representatives from the Dar Al-Iftaa, the Coptic Evangelical Organization, civil society, and the National Council for Women.

In H.E.’s speech, Dr. Rania Al-Mashat thanked the UN Deputy Secretary-General for attending the event despite her brief visit to Egypt, emphasizing that the program serves as a practical model for integrating the Sustainable Development Goals into developmental efforts in the governorates, bridging the gender gap. 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also extended gratitude to Dr. Hiba Hendousa for her substantial efforts in developing Upper Egypt through the El-Nidaa Foundation over the years, and commended the contributions of Dar Al-Iftaa and the Coptic Evangelical Organization for their involvement in the project through various awareness-raising services.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat pointed out that this ambitious project began 12 years ago in Upper Egypt, targeting some of the most disadvantaged villages. Initially, the concept was simple, but the vision was long-term. Over the years, the project has experienced remarkable growth, becoming one of the most prominent examples of integrated development.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat added that integrated development is not only about supporting women but also involves multiple sectors such as industry, agriculture, and trade. The project seeks to increase exports from these villages and enhance their competitiveness locally and internationally, with the ultimate goal of creating a sustainable future for communities. H.E. emphasized that development is not limited to enhancing economic capacity but also includes social and cultural aspects that promote unity and solidarity among community members.

The Minister of Planning also expressed deep appreciation for the program's achievements, affirming that the closing ceremony was not merely a celebration but a testament to hard work and perseverance. Success would not have been possible without a clear vision and continuous effort. 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also acknowledged the role of USAID in supporting the project from the beginning, extending thanks to the U.S. Embassy in Cairo for its ongoing support.

H.E. Minister Al-Mashat reiterated the role of the Egyptian government as a key partner in these developmental efforts, working to unite everyone's efforts to achieve the common goal of improving the lives of Egyptian citizens across the governorates. 

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat noted that there are only five years left until 2030, a pivotal year for achieving the SDGs, and emphasized that the program is a practical example of how these goals can be implemented, particularly in achieving social peace, gender equality, and eliminating poverty and hunger through providing decent job opportunities.

The Minister also highlighted that empowering women is a central element in all strategies and programs aimed at achieving global goals, not only as a social necessity but also as one of the most important factors for fostering sustainable economic growth. H.E. referenced the partnership with the United Nations through the Strategic Partnership Framework, which includes several pillars, including women's empowerment.

H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat also mentioned collaboration with the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the National Council for Women to implement various programs for women and girls, contributing to gender equality and empowering women in different fields. H.E. emphasized that empowering women extends beyond social support, including providing opportunities for education, employment, and active community participation, which in turn boosts economic growth rates.

In conclusion, H.E. Dr. Al-Mashat described the girls benefiting from the program as "pioneers of change" due to their accomplishments, which represent real hope for transforming communities toward the desired society. H.E. underscored the importance of expanding the program to include other governorates in the future and ensuring it continues to improve the lives of citizens.

Dr. Hiba Handousa, Founder of the El-Nidaa Foundation, spoke about the foundation's efforts over the past four years in collaboration with USAID to enhance the empowerment of women and youth. She explained that these efforts were based on a comprehensive strategy that included improving infrastructure, boosting industrial development, and supporting targeted social interventions. 

She emphasized that the goal was to create a lasting, transformative impact on the lives of individuals and communities by addressing social and economic challenges and promoting collective efforts for a better future.

Dr. Handousa also highlighted the direct and indirect benefits of the foundation's initiatives, noting that approximately 7,000 individuals directly benefited from the various activities focused on social and economic empowerment for women, enhancing youth skills for entering the labor market. The benefits of the program reached thousands of indirect beneficiaries, reflecting its widespread impact on improving quality of life in local communities.

In her remarks, Ms. Herro Mustafa Garg, U.S. Ambassador to Egypt, stated that the Social and Economic Empowerment Program for Girls in Upper Egypt had achieved significant successes, reflecting the strength of collaboration, determination, and shared commitment to building a better future for women and girls. She thanked Dr. Rania Al-Mashat for her ongoing support of initiatives that promote inclusivity and development. 

The U.S. Ambassador also highlighted the significance of the event coinciding with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness and emphasizing shared values and the commitment to ending violence against women and girls worldwide.

Rami Hassan, the Program Manager, noted that the program had been implemented in 12 of the most underserved villages in the governorates of Qena and Minya (eight in Qena and four in Minya) over the past four years. The program aimed to socially and economically empower girls in Upper Egypt through community initiatives, awareness campaigns on gender issues and harmful practices, training on interpersonal skills, life skills, and various economic activities.

During the closing ceremony, attendees visited a small exhibition showcasing products from the "pioneers of change" – the girls benefiting from the program.