An initiative to empower girls…the path to social justice and sustainable development in Egypt

An initiative to empower girls…the path to social justice and sustainable development in Egypt

True development is not measured only by the economic growth achieved, but rather by the transformations it reflects on human reality. A society cannot claim progress unless it guarantees all its members fair opportunities in life, which makes fairness a basic condition in any serious development project. Based on this integrated understanding of development, the Egyptian Ministry of Youth and Sports launched the “She” initiative, which is a comprehensive national platform concerned with supporting girls and women at various stages of their lives, through specific programs that combine sports, culture, and capacity building.

AndEarth GuardsIn this article, it will address the most prominent features of the “She” initiative to empower girls, in terms of its goals and strategic axes, implementation mechanisms, and the partnerships it relies on to ensure access and influence, in addition to the social dimension that the initiative seeks to achieve, as a tool for reformulating the relationship between girls and society; So keep reading.

Initiative launch event

On July 21, 2025, the Minister of Youth and Sports – Dr. Ashraf Sobhi – announced the launch of the first phase of the national initiative “Pioneers of Egypt” under the slogan “She.. (Awareness – Protection – Development)”; To be a new starting point towards empowering girls in various parts of the Republic. This announcement came during a press conference at the Youth Innovation and Learning Center on the island. The ceremony witnessed the participation of prominent women figures from official and community institutions, along with a number of female representatives and public figures.

The large attendance was a symbolic indication of the institutional and community support that the initiative enjoys. It also reflects the state’s awareness of the importance of expanding areas of empowerment for girls. From its first moment, the initiative seemed more than just a government project; It is a national message that empowering girls is a shared responsibility and a key to building a cohesive and balanced society.

The objectives of the initiative are

Awareness

The initiative relies on three main integrated axes that reflect its social philosophy, the first of which is the awareness axis, which aims to enhance the health and psychological culture of girls, and qualify them for community and political participation through educational and training programs. This axis does not stop at the limits of theoretical information, but rather seeks to consolidate self-confidence and develop personal skills.

Protection

The second axis is protection, which aims to address all forms of violence against girls, whether physical, psychological or symbolic. This axis is seen as a safety valve that establishes a supportive social environment, through legal, educational and psychological support, and providing safe spaces within youth centres.

Development

The third axis is development, which is the practical aspect of the initiative, where awareness and protection are translated into real participation, as the initiative provides opportunities for economic and social empowerment for girls through workshops and entrepreneurship initiatives, which will be in youth centers or through linking with local labor market entities; Which enhances girls’ opportunities for integration and production.

Beginning with youth centers

The initiative is implemented on the ground through girls’ and women’s clubs spread across youth centers in the governorates, ensuring comprehensive geography and reaching girls in both rural and urban areas, as youth centers constitute platforms for incubating awareness and training programs, as well as being safe community incubators.

The initiative relies on strong partnerships with official and civil institutions such as the National Council for Women, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, and the House of Representatives, in addition to a number of civil society organizations. This solidarity gives the initiative societal and political credibility, and also allows for a diversity of ways to reach the target groups, to suit their different needs and increases the chances of successful implementation on the ground.

The essence of these partnerships lies in their ability to provide a coordinated work system, where each party has a clear and integrated role. Without institutional support, reform efforts may be threatened; Therefore, building these partnerships not only enhances the efficiency of implementation, but also ensures continuous follow-up, exchange of experiences, and evaluation of impact in a way that consolidates sustainability and makes girls’ empowerment a tangible reality.

The social dimension of the initiative

What distinguishes the “She” initiative is that it does not only address girls as recipients, but as partners in building a more just and stable society, as raising girls’ awareness, enhancing their self-confidence, and supporting their economic and political participation is not only their right, but a necessity for building a healthy and just society. Every girl who is aware of her rights, and has learned the tools to protect them, is a building block in the edifice of a society that rejects marginalization and exclusion.

The initiative represents a direct response to the social challenges facing girls in Egypt, especially in adulthood, where there is an urgent need for correct information and supportive psychological and social guidance. It also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal (10), which calls forReducing inequalities.

In conclusion, theEarth Guards__EG_PH_71 Foundation confirms that the “She” initiative represents a positive trend towards empowering  girls, investing in their awareness, and enhancing their role in building society, especially in light of the complex challenges girls face that require comprehensive and multidimensional responses, and henceEarth Guards appreciates these efforts made, and hopes that this initiative will contribute to opening new paths for girls in all governorates, and that it will constitute a role model in building a generation that is more aware, confident, and capable of participating effectively in the development process, and that work will continue towards developing such initiatives, and linking them to a broader development vision that guarantees sustainability. Overall.