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Although we are in the 21st Century, women are still treated as immature and irresponsible, and if employed, they are rarely promoted to key positions.
It is very difficult for millions of poor women to access basic services and rights – credit, pension payments and access to voting – since they are often without identification cards and birth certificates.
A disparity in education levels between girls and boys poses another obstacle for women. Egypt is committed to increasing educational opportunities for women. Currently, 58% of adult women are illiterate, compared to 35% of adult men. In rural areas, there is a marked gender gap in enrollment and education.
Economically, while constituting 30% of the professional and technical workforce, women comprise only 17% of Egypt's administrators and managers and 5% of its high government officials. The vast majority of women workers are employed in service or agricultural sectors, and in the informal sector.
Officials have condoned the equal opportunity principle through the ratification of international and Arab conventions related to human rights and through participation in conferences related to women’s rights, including the Beijing conference in 1995.
Egypt has made progress toward meeting convention goals with regards to legal and social equality. Some substantial legal reforms concerning the status of women have been undertaken, yet gender inequality persists in Egyptian society.
In spite of the significance and appreciation of women’s roles in society as mothers, sisters and wives, a tacit concept persists, governed by customs and traditions, that assigns women a lower status than men, leading to their humiliation and hindering productivity and innovation.
OBJECTIVES
Women play a significant role in comprehensive development processes. By investing in their skills and capabilities, EACD is certain to boost the entire development process, maximizing its investment in local community resources.
In all of its programs (economic, education, health), the association reserves a distinctive place for women and, thus, further expands their opportunities to express themselves and to represent their societies.
General objective
Through the formation of feminine leadership, EACD aims to promote women's empowerment and engagement in social development, so they may play a positive and effective role in society.
Specific objectives
1. To encourage achievement and high self-esteem for women residents in activity locations, thereby backing the objective of male/female communal leadership formation
2. To decrease inherited gender discrimination transmitted through customs and traditions
3. To advance women’s job promotion and empowerment, so they play a greater role in civil society |
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