Minister of Social Solidarity Nevine El-Qabbaj. Al-Ahram
Women in Africa perform 66 percent of work on the continent and produce 50 percent of its food, yet they earn only 10 percent of the income and own 1 percent of the property. Whether the issue is improving education in the developing world, fighting global climate change, or addressing nearly any other challenge, empowering women is a critical part of the equation, El-Qabbaj said in remarks to the 7th session of the 2022 Builders of Egypt Forum.
Increasing the role of women in Africa is key to achieving sustainable development, reducing poverty and realising food security, she added.
The forum is attended and sponsored by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly under the title ‘Chances for Development and Finance in Africa and Arab Countries in Light of Global Changes.’
The event is attended by the housing minister and senior officials as well as the head of the African Federation of Construction Contractors and Arab and African delegates representing large construction companies, real estate investors, energy, financial and banking institutions and investment funds.
The Egyptian government recently announced a package of financial and social protection measures to mitigate the negative impacts of the global economic crisis, the minister said.
El-Qabbaj said that these measures include encouraging the private sector to pump more investments in the country; offering tax incentives for startups; reclaiming 4 million feddans of farmland to secure the food needs of the growing population; and promoting green investments and the transition to a green economy.
The forum, which is the largest of its kind in Egypt’s construction sector, saw the participation of Egyptian, Arab, and African ministers in the sectors of housing, investment, and services. A number of foreign ambassadors and heads of relevant federations and business organisations were among the attendees.
This is in addition to more than 500 executives representing contracting, real estate and energy companies as well as financial and banking institutions and investment funds.
Short link: