H.E. Dr. Rania A. Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation and the United Nations Resident Coordinator, visited the Biyara Primary Health Care Unit in Aswan, to follow up on efforts to support the National Population Strategy and empower women and girls. The visit also includes Major General Ashraf Atiya, Governor of Aswan, Germain Haddad, Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), Adviser to the Head of the European Union Delegation on Governance, and representatives of the Ministries of Health and Population, and Youth. The visit featured the efforts made to support the National Population Strategy in Aswan, which was implemented in partnership between the national entities represented by the Ministry of Health and Population and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, and among the international organizations the UNFPA in cooperation with the European Union (EU).
The Minister of International Cooperation and listened to a presentation on the outcomes of the programme, which has succeeded through the integration and coordination between national entities and international agencies. The programme's work on supporting Egypt’s efforts to reduce population growth by ensuring the availability of family planning services, and strengthening efforts with the Ministry of Health and Population to develop awareness brochures and training all relevant staff in all governorates.
Access to services for more than 4 million women has been supported during the past four years, the expansion of the "Two is Enough" campaign, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Solidarity, improving the quality of healthcare services, providing technical expertise related to family planning services and providing appropriate counselling and services, supporting the project of training doctors in more than 2000 primary health care units of the Ministry of Health, training nurses and doctors in 5435 family planning clinic of the Ministry of Health, as well as promoting social concepts related to family planning through training 8641 community leaders and leaders through awareness-raising,
During the visit to the youth center, the Minister of International Cooperation saw a theater performance by a group of youth on the challenges faced by women and the importance of countering misconceptions that prevent women and girls from being economically and socially empowered. This is an example of an awareness campaigns carried out through the youth and sports clubs, through which population issues are raised via cooperation with the UNFPA.
These programs have enhanced the reach of 182,000 young people through innovative education and education technologies, as well as the creation of an extracurricular activities club in the youth and sports centers, and the creation of work teams to support the program in 22 provinces. The project promotes the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Goal 1: No poverty; Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being; Goal 5: Gender Equality; Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities; and Goal 13: Partnerships for The Goals.
The Minister of International Cooperation indicated the importance of the efforts made with the UNFPA in light of the previous strategic framework, and its continuation through the country program with the UNSDCF 2023-2027. This was prepared with the participation of all relevant entities, to reflect national priorities, especially in the areas of equality. Developing the capabilities of youth, and combating all forms of discrimination and violence against girls and women, ensuring the participation of all groups in development efforts, especially facing the challenges of population growth and enhancing economic and social opportunities.
Germaine Haddad, Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund, said, "Today we have seen how reproductive health issues require several efforts. The UNFPA works with the Ministry of Health and Population to provide high-quality services in the field of reproductive health and family planning so that women have a choice on the number of children they have as well as age gaps between each child. This is done through training family planning service providers, conducting awareness campaigns, providing youth-specific services, and sensitizing women among other things. The UNFPA also works with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to enable youth to acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to make decisions Informed about their bodies, health and lives, as well as building their capacities to become agents of change in their communities. Through this approach we can achieve the 2030 Agenda.”
The United Nations is one of the most important multilateral development partners for the Government of Egypt, which has set clear development goals and vision aimed primarily at the primary care and most needy groups. The United Nations and its specialized agencies have been the cornerstone of many joint development strategies and activities due to its extensive experience in all areas of economic, social and environmental character.
The UNSDCF sets out 5 priorities to be achieved by 2027, namely enhancing human capital through equal access to superior services, social protection and social justice for all, promoting inclusive sustainable economic development driven by productivity growth, decent jobs, integrating the informal economy, strengthening resilience to climate change and efficient management of natural resources in a sustainable environment, achieving inclusive equity in safe and equitable access to information, in line with a governance framework characterised by transparency, accountability, efficiency, interaction, and inclusive participation of women and girls, and promoting political and economic empowerment.