Cairo: Dr Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity, recently convened with Ms Val©rie Hooper, President and Founder of the American Institute for Women’s Health (IWH), and her delegation. The meeting took place at the ministry’s headquarters, located in the New Administrative Capital, and was attended by key ministry officials including Ms Dina Al-Sayirfi, Assistant Minister for International Cooperation and International Agreements, and Ms Amira Taj, General Director of the International Relations and Agreements Department.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the discussions opened with Dr Morsi extending a warm welcome to Ms Hooper and expressing eagerness for collaborative efforts to advance women’s rights. The dialogue centered on enhancing cooperation and building partnerships to support shared goals. Dr Morsi reaffirmed the government’s dedication to women’s health initiatives, particularly the “Supporting Egyptian Women’s Health” initiative. She emphasized that the well-being of Egyptian women is integral to the broader health of the community. Additionally, she highlighted the first thousand days programme for children’s development, executed in partnership with the World Food Programme, underscoring the ministry’s focus on family and women’s issues.
Dr Morsi detailed the ministry’s core responsibilities, which include social protection and support for vulnerable populations such as women, orphans, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities, along with providing alternative care solutions.
Ms Val©rie Hooper, in her remarks, expressed appreciation for Dr Morsi’s extensive experience at both international and local levels. She outlined the mission of the American Institute for Women’s Health, which includes enhancing women’s health, protecting life, and supporting family structures. She introduced the Portico initiative, a collaboration with government ministries aimed at transforming public sector education and care training. Ms Hooper expressed a keen interest in implementing this initiative in Egypt, recognizing its significance in the North Africa and Middle East region, and aligning it with Egyptian cultural and national contexts. She also mentioned the Geneva Consensus Declaration, an international agreement promoting health, women, and family-oriented values, which Egypt is a signatory to.
The meeting concluded with mutual agreement to explore potential collaboration avenues between the Ministry of Social Solidarity and the American Institute for Women’s Health, particularly the feasibility of implementing the Portico initiative in Egypt.