Egypt celebrates National Population Day and reviews efforts to empower women and reduce unemployment

The Ministry of Health and Population marked National Population Day on Monday with an event that brought together stakeholders involved in population work in Egypt.

During the opening of the celebration, Tarek Tawfik – deputy health minister for population affairs – said that the Egyptian government had succeeded in reducing the unemployment rate from 13% in 2014 to 7.4% in 2021.

He added that Egypt has adopted many policies and programs in favor of women’s economic empowerment, which has led to a reduction in the female unemployment rate from 24.2% in 2015 to 16% in 2021.

Tawfik also spoke about the unprecedented economic, social and environmental changes and challenges facing the world, which require more solidarity from all to meet the Egyptian people’s aspirations for progress and prosperity.

“Because of these challenges, the Egyptian state has paid great attention to sustainable development to preserve the environment, reduce poverty and meet the needs of current and future generations,” he added.

Moreover, Tawfik claimed that the state has adopted several social protection policies for the most vulnerable groups in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

He also underlined his appreciation of the efforts to forge partnerships between governmental, non-governmental and international institutions during this event, expressing his hope that these collaborations bear fruits that can draw a roadmap for a future that everyone can embrace. and seize opportunities for sustainable development. development.

In addition, Tawfik pointed out that the Cairo International Conference on Population and Development in 1994 marked a turning point in the philosophy of population development, as it highlighted the close interrelationship between population policies and development policies, and that there has been a big shift through this conference to dealing with overpopulation not just as a demographic issue, but as a matter of rights, equality and dignity.

He also said that the work program of the International Population Conference in Cairo is still a pillar of the 2030 Plan for Sustainable Development, and that linking population, human rights, stable economic growth and sustainable development is a more comprehensive and coherent vision to address these issues.