In the framework of the partnership between Government of Egypt, the European Union, and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the EU Support to Egypt’s National Population Strategy project was concluded on December 19, 2023.
With an EU contribution of EUR 27 million, in grant, UNFPA implemented the 5-year project in close cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Population, as well as other line ministries and civil society organizations.
Implemented in all 27 governorates, the project supported the national priorities reflected in Egypt’s National Population Strategy. It contributed to strengthening national capacities to provide family planning services and increasing awareness about family planning, reproductive health, gender equality and women empowerment.
The project trained over 40,000 doctors, nurses and outreached workers on family planning counseling and services. These trained service providers and outreach workers provided family planning counseling and services to over 7.5 million women. Over 40 million women, men and young people were reached with messages on family planning through a comprehensive media campaign on TV, radio, social media and community mobilization activities with diverse audiences nationwide for raising awareness on family planning.
The closing event had the participation of Dr. Khaled Abdel Ghaffar, Minister of Health and Population, Dr. Nevine El-Kabbage, Minister of Social Solidarity, Ambassador Christian Berger, Head of the EU Delegation to Egypt, and Frederika Meijer, UNFPA Representative in Egypt among other partners and stakeholders.
The ministries of Health and Population, Youth and Sports, Social Solidarity, Planning and Economic Development, and Education and Technical Education, along with the National Population Council, Al-Azhar University’s International Islamic Center for Population Studies and Research (IICPSR) and the Bishopric of Public, Ecumenical, and Social Services (BLESS) implemented different components of the project. Care International, Egyptian Family Planning Association (EFPA), Etijah Youth and Development Consultancy Institute in Egypt, Gozour Foundation for Development civil society organizations among other partners played important role in the implementation.
“Under this project, UNFPA worked closely with partners from different sectors, with a multi-pronged approach for promoting voluntary family planning and improving reproductive health issues,” Meijer said, “we must keep the momentum of the past five years in order to reach our 2030 goals.”
"Achieving the country’s priorities on all issues related to population contributes significantly to the economic growth and sustainable development of Egypt. The European Union's support for the National Population Strategy has fostered a stronger co-operation on between the EU and Egypt. I am pleased to confirm that the EU recently agreed to fund a new programme in support of Egypt's 'National Population Strategy' (2023-30)."
The project revitalized 2,500 women’s health clubs that organized awareness raising sessions for 250,000 women. Over 150,000 young people were engaged in awareness raising activities using interactive theater, music and sports.
The project also supported for updating the National Population and Development Strategy for the period of 2023-2030 under the leadership of National Population Council and developing a costed implementation plan for the implementation of the strategy. Technical assistance was also provided for the development of the national midwifery strategy 2023-2030
