Christian Berger: promoting gender equality raises GDP to 9.6% by 2050

Christian Berger, Head of the European Union Delegation to Egypt, said on Sunday that gender equality will improve to increase GDP from 6.1 percent to 9.6 percent by 2025, according to EU’s estimations.

Berger made his remarks at Egyptian Women Professionals Summit (WPS), adding that gender equality is one of the basic values of the European Union, and the empowerment of women represents a great priority for the Union.

The European Commission aims to set an example by targeting a gender balance of 50 percent at all levels of management by 2024, Burger added at WPS, which takes place in Cairo under the auspices of Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly.

Berger stated that true equal rights are still far from being achieved in the European Union, or anywhere else in the world, noting that improving gender equality is important for achieving sustainable development, peace and prosperity in societies.

He noted that the European Union has supported successful programmes, which promote integration in the financial sector, qualify women for leadership, and teach vocational skills and technical education.

Burger emphasised that Egyptian women left their distinctive mark in all fields, pointing out that the Egyptian Women’s Summit is a moment to shed light on the journeys of these women.