The female Egyptian secondary school student, Ghada Sayed Abdel-Gawwad, took over for one day the position of Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine al-Kabbag, on 11 October 2020. The move came in celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child, which has been annually marked in Egypt since 2016, through the initiative “Girls in Leadership Roles” launched by Egypt’s Ministry of Social Solidarity.
Marking the day has become an annual tradition in Egypt. Girls are for one day given the opportunity to be in the shoes of top ranking public officials in Cabinet ministries or governmental or non-governmental organisations. The initiative aims at promoting girls’ self-esteem and sense of empowerment, also at supporting them in their strive for their rights in the political, economic, and social domains.
Collaborating with the Ministry of Social Solidarity in “Girls in Leadership Roles” were the Egyptian Centre for Women’s Rights (ECWR) and Plan International Organisation.
Ghada was warmly received by Social Solidarity Minister Kabbag, and given the opportunity to preside over a ministerial meeting.
She reviewed the executive departments of the ministry, and was introduced to how the ministry’s projects are prepared and implemented. She met some the leading officials of the ministry’s various departments.
Ms Kabbag was keen to answer all Ghada’s queries, explaining to her the ministry’s role and strategy in the various activities and initiatives it sponsors in support of the needy and underprivileged sectors of the Egyptian society.
Ghada, for her part, expressed her happiness with the efforts exerted by the ministry to alleviate the burdens on the shoulders of low-income families.
Through the Girls in Leadership Roles 2020 initiative, 27 Egyptian girls and young women aged 14 to 24 took over the positions of a number of ministers, senior officials and ambassadors for the full Day of the Girl Child.
At ECWR, Chairperson of the Board Nehad Abulkomsan handed her position over to Fatma Mustafa, a 19-year-old law student, for the day which was dedicated to fighting cybercrime against women.
Fatma chaired a meeting that included a work team featuring a legal aide and ECWR staff representatives for research, vocal training, and public relations, together with Ms Abulkomsan, to discuss cybercrime against women.
Ms Abulkomsan addressed all women and girls to take precautions against falling prey to cybercrime. She warned against rampant online harassment and bullying of females, and encouraged young women to discuss how to strengthen mechanisms to protect girls from all forms of abuse and harassment. She explained the role played by ECWR on that score, especially when legal aid is needed.
Watani International
12 October 2020