U.S. and Egypt Partner to Prevent Violence Against Women and Children

The Combating Violence against Women and Children (CVAWC) Project – a collaboration of the National Council for Women, the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) – showcased their work of the past five years in a Fair held today at the Yasso Boat in Giza.  The fair also highlighted products and publications of the project’s participating NGOs and a film documenting the work of the project.  Since 2007, the CVAWC project has worked to improve policies and services to protect women and children from all forms of violence and has trained over 700 court officials, nearly 1000 social workers, and over 12,000 community leaders.  Over 10,000 women and children have received a variety of supportive services.

“I appreciate the inspiring leadership of our Egyptian partners on these difficult issues. We are privileged to have worked together to demonstrate successful responses to these challenges,” said Walter North, USAID Mission Director.  “This is a global issue that many countries struggle with; and this fair acknowledges what can be accomplished when all sectors of society – government, civil society, and the private sector – come together to address issues that are vital indicators of the health of communities.”

The Fair closed out a week of CVAWC events which also included a 2-day seminar on March 21-22 in Heliopolis that discussed trafficking trends and strategies.  Representatives from civil society, international donors, and the media came together in the seminar with CVAWC partners to share information and knowledge and discuss strategies for continued cooperation.

By working through 32 Egyptian NGOs, the project has increased the kinds of services available to vulnerable women and children, such as reunification of street children with their families, legal representation and advice for children in conflict with the law, community awareness on children’s rights, assistance to women victims of violence, and research and services to victims of trafficking and those at risk of being trafficked.

Press Release