A delegation from the South Korean Embassy and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) conducted a field visit to one of the newly opened Population Awareness Clubs (PAC) in Sohag on September 28, 2022.

Sohag’s PAC is supported by Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the South Korean government agency that implements development cooperation, and operated by UNFPA in cooperation with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Etijah, Youth and Development Consultancy Institute.

PACs act as hubs for raising awareness on gender issues, through interactive and innovative methods such as music and theatre to communicate messages to the communities.

The delegation included H.E. Amb. Jin Wook Hong, Ambassador of the Republic of South Korea to Cairo, Mrs. Jinyoung Kim, Country Director of KOICA Egypt Office, and Ms. Frederika Meijer, UNFPA Representative in Egypt.

At Al Ahya Sharq Youth Centre, they attended a musical performance by young girls entitled “Shamandora” on early marriage and Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), followed by an interactive theater performance addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and climate change. Those kinds of activities engage with the whole community through interactive means to empower women and discuss challenges that women and girls face in society including harmful practices and behaviors. It also addresses the life-threatening disasters caused by climate changes that the whole villagers face such as hot temperature, fires, floods and etc. The lyrics, music, and script were written by the young girls and reflected their own lives.

“I’m still a little child, I dream of running and living. My dream has no limits, and this universe is not enough for me. My dream is not a wedding and a song, or even a ring in my hand. Why should I take responsibility in such young age? And let the world narrow down on me? ” read the lyrics to one of the songs performed by the young girls.

This activity comes as part of the “Noura,” Girls Assets Framework Program, which is under the sponsorship of H.E. Mrs. Entissar El Sisi and is being implemented by UNFPA in cooperation with the National Council for Women. Through the program, young girls will gain better access to health, social, and educational assets to achieve a better future for themselves.

KOICA is contributing to the program under the name of “Project for Preventing and Combating Gender-Based Violence in Egypt” (21’-24’ / $4.0M), with other significant activities such as creating safe spaces for GBV survivors, expanding anti-violence against women units in universities and hospitals, and conducting different kinds of awareness-raising programs.

H.E. Amb. Jin Wook Hong said “Today marks my last stop in my visit to Minya, Assiut and Sohag, but your performance today will be the most memorable. I was very touched that you tried to think of a solution and prepared this beautiful play.” He assured “Korea and Egypt still have a long way ahead of them in solving women’s issues. But if the young generation continue their efforts to solve such problems, a bright future will definitely come. Korea as a friend to Egypt, will always stand by and help the Egyptian government with the cooperation with the UNFPA.”

From her side Ms. Frederika Meijer, UNFPA Representative in Egypt, highlighted the importance of empowering young people and mobilizing them to achieve the 2030 agenda. “Today's generation of youth in Egypt is also impressive. 60 percent of Egypt’s population is under the age of 30, and there is definitely strength in those numbers,” she said, “It is only natural that we rely on them, and empower them, to become agents of change in their communities.”

Mrs. Jinyoung Kim highlighted “KOICA is one of the like-minded partners of UNFPA and the local partners, who support Noura Program. I was very proud witnessing all the efforts you have put in today’s performance. Being a Gender Champion myself, I see this as a new beginning for my career here, and I will do my best to support all of you on women’s issues and climate change.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Ahmed Samy, Sohag Deputy Governor, said “Egypt is currently working on gender issues and we will continue to expand our efforts in line with the presidential initiative Decent Life, and with the support of the Korean government and UNFPA.”