Four governorates in Egypt officially adopted the Local Referral Pathway, in partnership with UNFPA and the National Council for Women (NCW), to ensure the provision of protection, prevention and response services to women subjected to violence.

The governors of Beni Suef, Daqahleya, Ismailia and Gharbeya ordered the formation of committees to activate the Local Referral Pathway and coordinate efforts among the different sectors and develop policies and protocols to protect women from all forms of violence.

The National Referral Pathway was officially endorsed by NCW and partner line ministries in December 2019, concluding the pilot joint program titled “Essential Services Package” in Egypt, led by UNFPA jointly with UNDP, UN Women and UNODC. The program aims to address health, policing and social services sectors in combatting violence against women.

The committees were established with UNFPA’s technical assistance with the support of the Embassy of Norway and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

The members of the committees should comprise representatives from NCW, the Directorates of Health, Social Solidarity, and Endowments, as well as representatives from Al-Azhar, the Coptic Church, the Ministry of Justice, the Public Prosecution, the Directorate of Security, the Anti-Violence Units at universities, the Safe Women’s Clinics, civil society, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, among others.

The Vice Governor of Beni Suef, Bilal Habash, chaired the first meeting of the committee on June 12.

This meeting is organized and coordinated directly by NCW through the Anti-Violence Against Women Unit and included representation of line ministries and relevant partners.

The vice governor emphasized the importance of coordinating efforts and activities that aim to achieve integration among all partners to support women against all forms of violence.

In September 2022, the governorate of Daqahleya was the first to officially adopt the Local Referral Pathway.