UNFPA and the National Council for Women (NCW) held a meeting in March to follow up on the efforts of the Anti-Sexual Harassment Units, established by UNFPA and NCW in Egyptian public universities.

The virtual meeting brought together Shaima Naeem, General Manager of the General Administration of Planning in NCW along with staff from the Anti-Violence Against Women Unit NCW, including Mona Al-Ghazali, National Coordinator, Counselor Ahmed Al-Najjar, the Legal Advisor, Dr. Amal Philip, the Health Advisor, and Sally Zohney, UNFPA Gender Program Specialist.

Naeem confirmed that the number of units for combating violence against women in universities reached 32 units, established to ensure a safe educational environment for women and girls on campus.

El-Ghazaly also pointed out that the sustainability of the units is a fundamental goal, as protecting women in public places is in alignment with the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030.

The directors of the units combating violence in universities of Minya, Ain Shams, Fayoum, Alexandria, Benha, Academy of Arts, Suez Canal in Ismailia, Sadat City, Galala University, Port Said University, Assiut, Beni Suef, Sohag, Kafr El Sheikh and Damietta also attended the meeting.

During the meeting, Counselor Al-Najjar presented the first operational manual. The manual compiles good practices and procedures to establish such units in educational institutes in Egypt.

Council Al-Najjar explained how complaints are received and the importance of activating laws at all levels, especially with the amendment of many laws and legislations in favor of Egyptian women. UNFPA developed this manual through its partnership with NCW.

The Anti-Sexual Harassment Units offer informative sessions, reporting processes and documentation of incidents of violence against women on campus.