As part of ongoing efforts to enhance healthcare services for survivors of violence against women and girls, UNFPA, in partnership with the National Council for Women and Fayoum University Hospital, inaugurated a new Safe Women Clinic on February 10, 2025.
The clinic was established with the support of the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation in Egypt (AICS). It will provide essential medical and psychological services for women, as well as direct referrals to legal support services through the Women’s Complaints Office, ensuring a comprehensive response to violence against women and girls. The clinic will also work closely with the existing “Anti-Violence University Unit,” which addresses reported incidents of GBV on the Fayoum University campus, and contribute to the GBV referral pathway adopted by Fayoum Governorate to facilitate multi-sectoral coordination and response to cases. This comprehensive approach, supported by UNFPA, aims to harmonize and strengthen local response systems to all forms of GBV.
The inauguration was attended by Dr. Yasser Magdy Hatata, President of Fayoum University; Dr. Assem Fouad El-Eisawy, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development; Dr. Naglaa El-Sherbiny, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Dr. Mohamed Safaa, Executive Director of University Hospitals; and Dr. Heba Hussein, Director of the Safe Women Clinic. Also present were Dr. Dina Shoukry, representing the National Council for Women; Ms. Mona Salem, Central Coordination Unit at NCW; Dr. Amal Philip, Medical Services Expert at NCW; and Ms. Sally Zohney, Gender Specialist and Team Lead at UNFPA, along with several experts and professionals working in the field of gender-based violence.
During the visit, officials discussed the internal referral system within the hospital to address GBV cases, toured the clinic, and received an overview of its services, which include confidential medical and psychological assistance, legal guidance, and community outreach programs.
University officials emphasized that the launch of the Safe Women Clinic aligns with Fayoum University’s commitment to serving the community beyond education by providing essential services for women facing violence. They highlighted the clinic’s role in creating a secure and supportive space, offering confidential consultations, medical and psychological assistance, and legal guidance. The clinic will also conduct workshops and awareness programs to empower women and girls in addressing domestic and social violence, ensuring they receive the support they need in a safe and professional environment.
Since the first Safe Women Clinic was established in 2019, these facilities have become a vital service delivery channel, serving thousands of women across Egypt annually. The initiative aligns with national strategies to prevent and respond to gender-based violence and contributes to strengthening the healthcare sector’s role in ensuring the well-being of survivors.
In collaboration with NCW and UNFPA, ongoing training sessions are held for healthcare providers to enhance their capacity to respond effectively to cases of violence against women. These sessions cover medical guidelines, available services, legislation, and referral mechanisms, ensuring that survivors receive professional and informed support.
The Safe Women Clinic at Fayoum University Hospital marks another milestone in efforts to provide a safe and supportive environment for women and girls, with a total of 20 Safe Women Clinics established in University Hospitals and 28 clinics established under Primary Health Care with the Ministry of Health. The initiative reflects a collective commitment to advancing healthcare services and strengthening protection systems for survivors of gender-based violence in Egypt.
