Ministry of Planning and Economic Development concludes the institutional strengthening program for equal opportunities units

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development represented by the Equal Opportunities Unit concluded the second phase of the institutional strengthening program for equal opportunities units under the title "The performance of equal opportunities units from governance to evaluation and follow-up" for members of the equal opportunities unit at the Ministry of Planning and its affiliates.



 This came in partnership with the Project to Support Renewable Energy and Promote Equal Opportunities in the Private Sector, funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Green Climate Fund.


Dr. Hala El-Said, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, pointed out the importance of establishing equal opportunities units in various agencies.
She noted that the establishment of equal opportunities units came to support the fifth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals, which is concerned with gender equality, in addition to Egypt’s goal of non-discrimination between men and women in all economic, social, and political fields related to Egypt’s Vision 2030.

During the closing ceremony, Dr. Ahmed Kamali, Deputy Minister of Planning stressed that to reach gender equality; there must be equality and justice in the opportunities available to all parties, which comes within the framework of achieving the fifth goal of sustainable development goals "gender equality".


Kamali referred to the decision of the Minister of Planning and Economic Development No. 9 of 2021 to establish an equal opportunities unit in the ministry and its affiliates, stressing that this decision gives an important message that the government is taking serious steps regarding equality and achieving equal opportunities.


The Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development also clarified that it is important to work on a process that includes training, changing concepts related to gender, trying to change the mental image, and dealing with problems related to achieving equal opportunities quickly.


Dr. Ahmed Kamali referred to the national project for the development of the Egyptian family, which aims to improve the situation of families, stressing that this improvement will happen by achieving gender equality and empowering women, especially at the economic and social levels.

During his participation in the sessions of the second phase of the program, Dr. Jamil Helmy, Assistant Minister of Planning for Follow-up Affairs of the Sustainable Development Plan, reviewed (Gender-Responsive Sustainable Development) Plan Handbook.


 Kamali pointed out that the guide is the first of its kind that sets clear and applicable mechanisms and controls for integrating social groups such as women, children, and people with special needs in development plans.

He added that the guide places Egypt at the forefront of countries in the region that give top priority to integrating the gender-responsive plan into all development programs and interventions, through an integrated process.

 This process includes monitoring qualitative gaps between different groups, developing plans and programs that meet these gaps, as well as following up and evaluating their development impact in all sectors.

 He stressed that the guide aims to create an environment conducive to increasing women's participation in economic activity in light of the directions of Egypt's Vision 2030 and to mitigate the effects of the Corona pandemic.

 Meanwhile, Dr. Shaima Siraj, Director of the Equal Opportunities Unit at the Ministry of Planning, reviewed during the second session of the program the institutional stages pursued by the unit, and the Equal Opportunities Report.

This came within the framework of the activities of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, which was prepared in partnership with the affiliated agencies, sectors, and units of the ministry.


 The aforementioned report reflected trends of equal opportunities within the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, according to the indicators of workers in various job grades. The report also tracks indicators that reflect equal opportunities within the framework of the ministry's activities.


 The report also analyzed gender indicators within the framework of international reports, focusing on Egypt's position compared to many countries.

Siraj indicated that the report is a model that can be simulated according to the activities of any party that wishes to use it, whether governmental or private and in line with the activities of these agencies.