Dr. Sherif Fakhry Mohamed Abd-el-Naby, President of the Egyptian Russian University, announced that, in support of the state’s efforts which aim at empowering and supporting Egyptian women, and coinciding with Woman’s Month and Egypt’s celebrations of Mother’s Day, a symposium was organized in cooperation with the university’s Social Solidarity Unit under the title “Egyptian Woman Empowerment.” The event was attended by a delegation of members of the National Council for Women. He added that, during the celebration, a number of virtuous mothers were honored within the university campus. In addition, the mother of one of the students was also honored as an honorable model of hard-working, struggling and bringing her children to a distinguished position. Dr. Sherif stated that this step came within the framework of the university’s belief in its community role and the importance of strengthening ties and relationships with the surrounding community, which is accomplished with the support of Dr. Mohamed Kamal Al-Sayyed Mustafa, the Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees.

Dr. Jehan Ragab, a member of the National Council for Women, expressed the council’s happiness to participate in the celebration which took place at the Egyptian Russian University, and thanked the Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Nivine El-Kabbag, and President of the Egyptian Russian University, Dr. Sherif Fakhry, and President of the National Council for Women, Dr. Maya Morsy. In her speech, Dr. Jehan gave credit to the efforts of the social solidarity units at the universities under the supervision of the Advisor of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, Dr. Salah Hashem … She highlighted the role of these units in raising awareness on various community issues and on the initiatives which empower the university youth. She also tackled in her speech the efforts of the National Council for Women and its great interest in all women’s affairs. She described how the council addresses the issues of violence and improving the conditions of women in general through entrepreneurship initiatives, in addition to the efforts exerted by The National Council with regard to the issue of economic empowerment for Egyptian women, and the high status that Egyptian women have currently reached; whereas they have held many leadership positions in the state, including ministerial portfolios in the current government, female deputy ministers and governors, and female representatives in the People’s Assembly.

For her part, Dr. Zainab Al-Ghazaly, Alternate Rapporteur of the National Council for Women, greeted the leaders of the university and the Ministry of Social Solidarity, and expressed her happiness for the interest of the Egyptian Russian University in women’s issues, pointing out to the possibility of cooperation and holding more joint meetings to support women and the family in general.

In the same vein, Ms. Ekram Mohamed, Secretary General of the Egyptian Russian University, stated that a number of ideal mothers inside and outside the university were congratulated and shields were presented to them in appreciation for their effort, struggle, and good follow-up of their children until they get to smooth water. She pointed out the fact that mothers play a pivotal role indoors and outdoors. She extended her thanks and gratitude to them, especially within the various departments of the university and faculties.

For her part, Dr. Hanaa Abd-el-Rahman, the Leader of Student Activities at the Egyptian Russian University, expressed her happiness with the participation of many students and university’s members in the “Egyptian Woman Empowerment Symposium” and “Honoring Ideal Mothers”. She expressed gratitude and appreciation to the National Council for Women for the efforts it exerts in developing policies that preserve the rights of Egyptian women and place them in a position which suits their value and sacrifices throughout the ages, in addition to achieving full protection for Egyptian women, and providing them with economic, social and political opportunities which enable them to build up their own capacities and fulfill themselves.

The Leader of Student Activities at the Egyptian Russian University added that high models of women from within the university campus were honored, namely: Fifi Ahmed Siddiq and Um-Hashem Hemdan Hassanein, and also the ideal mothers were honored from within the university campus: Mona Saad Ismail, Magda Ibrahim Atwah, Fatma Abd-el-Razek, Fatma Abd-el-Sabour and Iman Sayed Mohammed Darwish.

As for the efforts and programs of the Ministry of Social Solidarity, Dr. Reham Abd-el-Rahman, Coordinator of the Social Solidarity Unit at the Egyptian Russian University, reviewed the services and programs which are provided by the Ministry of Social Solidarity for Women and Families, the most important of which are: monetary supporting programs, “Solidarity and Dignity”, “Mastoura” program, Productive Families, the serving and supporting centers for working women, the Woman Support Unit at the Social Solidarity Directorates, the hosting centers for abused women, in addition to the various awareness raising programs … She also referred to the economic empowerment file through the Social Solidarity Unit at the Egyptian Russian University, which included the Productive Student Initiative, provided by the Ministry of Social Solidarity in the Egyptian universities, which aims at preparing productive students and entrepreneurs who are capable of starting their own small and microfinance projects.

The celebration also included a presentation on the importance of psychological support for women, which was delivered by Dr. Soha Samir, Director of the Psychological Counseling Unit at the university. The presentation tackled the psychological pressures that women are exposed to, the correct ways to express anger, and raising awareness on how to seek psychological assistance from specialists in case a woman is unable to overcome her community and family pressures, which may affect her psychological and physical health.

The celebration was attended by the deans of the faculties, some faculty members, and a delegation from the National Council for Women, Cairo branch, which included: Professor Jehan Ragab, Dr. Zainab Al-Ghazali, Alternate Rapporteur of the National Council for Women, Dr. Amal Nemr, Dr. Ebtesam Al-Adawy, Dr. Eman Ibrahim, and Ms. Rania Adel. The Egyptian Russian University choir also participated in the celebration with distinguished singing episodes about the mother. The celebration also included a short film about the status of Egyptian women throughout different ages. A success story of a female productive student was also presented and honored through the initiative of the Ministry of Social Solidarity at the Egyptian Russian University.