UNFPA and the National Council for Women organized a two-day workshop on the local referral pathways for cases of gender-based violence, bringing together representatives of existing local referral committees from different governorates in Alexandria on November 12-13.

The referral pathway is a multi-sectoral referral mechanism in Egypt institutionalizing the coordinated efforts in the medical, judicial and police and social services to ensure enhanced quality services for women and girls subjected to 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 pathway was then adopted on the governorate level by Daqahleya, Beni Suef, Fayoum, Minya, Ismailia, Gharbeya and Sohag. 

Representatives from the Ministry of Social Solidarity, the Public Prosecution, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, the National Council for Women’s Women’s Complaints Office and Central Coordination as well as medical service providers from the Safe Women Clinics, which are medical response units offering comprehensive quality care and referral services for women and girls subjected to violence. 

The workshop aims to establish a permanent committee for the local referral pathway between relevant entities to respond to cases of violence against women and girls in all governorates.