In commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, UN Women Egypt hosted a high-level event titled “Beijing+30 Action Agenda: Honoring Inspiring Egyptian Women Leaders.” The event celebrated the outstanding contributions of current and former Egyptian women ministers, as well as past and present Presidents of the National Council for Women (NCW), in advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality across the country.
The event opened with remarks by Marwa Alameldeen, Officer-in-Charge of UN Women Egypt; Elena Panova, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt; and Counselor Amal Ammar, President of the National Council for Women.
“Women’s leadership in Egypt has demonstrated an exceptional ability to drive change,” said Marwa Alameldeen. “Female ministers, in particular, have set inspiring examples in good governance, policy formulation, and the implementation of programs that directly impact citizens’ lives. Today, they play a vital role in advancing development and fostering a more just and inclusive society. At UN Women, we commend the strong commitment demonstrated by Egypt’s political leadership to supporting women’s rights and empowerment as a cornerstone of sustainable development. Experience has shown that investing in women is an investment in the nation’s future.”
Elena Panova underscored the enduring relevance of the Beijing Platform, stating: “As we look toward the next phase of our shared journey, let us carry forward the spirit of Beijing with renewed determination. Let us honor the women who paved the way, support the women leading today, and inspire the girls who will shape our tomorrow. Egypt’s future—like the future of our world—is brighter, fairer, and more prosperous when women lead.”
In her opening remarks, Counselor Amal Ammar expressed her appreciation for participating in an event that brought together a distinguished group of national and international women leaders. She highlighted the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action as a historic milestone that marked a turning point in global efforts toward women’s inclusion, laying the foundation for three decades of international commitment to women’s rights and empowerment.
A key highlight of the evening was an interactive dialogue between Ambassador Mervat Tallawy, former Minister of Social Solidarity and Chair of the Contact Group on Health at the Fourth World Conference on Women, and Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity. The discussion reflected on the lasting impact of the Beijing Platform for Action and its transformative agenda. Both leaders shared personal insights from their experiences as women’s rights advocates, Ministers of Social Solidarity, and Presidents of the National Council for Women, highlighting both the progress achieved and the challenges overcome.
During the dialogue, Maya Morsy emphasized that success is rooted in collective effort, noting that collaboration among female ministers—particularly during initiatives such as the Egyptian Women’s Celebration—has been a key driver of impact. She also stressed the importance of intergenerational leadership, affirming her commitment to mentoring young women, just as she herself was supported by pioneering women leaders.
Ambassador Mervat Tallawy reflected on the achievements of the Fourth World Conference on Women, noting its success in securing significant gains for women and drawing attention to critical rights and issues. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding these achievements and continuing to build upon them.
The ceremony honored a distinguished group of women leaders, including:
Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation; Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity; Manal Awad, Minister of Local Development and Acting Minister of Environment; Hala El-Said, Advisor to the President for Economic Affairs; Ambassador Fayza Aboul Naga, Advisor to the President for National Security; Counselor Amal Ammar, President of the National Council for Women; Ambassador Mervat Tallawy, former Minister of Social Solidarity and former President of the NCW; Ghada Waly, former Minister of Social Solidarity; Sahar Nasr, former Minister of International Cooperation; Hala Zayed, former Minister of Health; Ambassador Soha El Guindy, former Minister of Immigration and Expatriate Affairs; Ambassador Moushira Khattab, former Minister of State for Family Affairs; Aisha Abdel Hady, former Minister of Manpower; Inas Abdel Dayem and Nevine El Kelany, former Ministers of Culture; Nevine Gamea, former Minister of Trade and Industry; Yasmine Fouad, former Minister of Environment; Naglaa Al Ahwany, former Minister of International Cooperation; Nadia Zakhary, former Minister of Scientific Research; Nevine Al Kabbaj, former Minister of Social Solidarity; Nabila Makram, former Minister of Immigration and Expatriate Affairs; and the late Farkhonda Hassan, former Under-Secretary-General of the National Council for Women.
The event was attended by prominent women leaders from the private sector and civil society, as well as public figures from the media and film industries.
On the sidelines, a special exhibition showcased key milestones in UN Women Egypt’s journey—alongside its development partners—in translating Beijing commitments into tangible action and achieving positive, lasting impact in the lives of women across Egypt.
