Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Egypt, Ambassador Christian Berger, and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative, Alessandro Fracassetti, paid a visit yesterday to the Integrated Services Centre in Benban Village, Aswan, as part of their tour in the southern government.
Accompanied by a number of Ministry of Social Solidarity officials, Berger and Fracassetti were in the centre to appraise progress on the implementation of the Awareness for Community Development programme which is funded by the EU.
The programme aims to spread awareness about many important social issues such as the dangers of female genital mutilation (FGM).
Along with other development partners, the EU actively backs efforts by the Egyptian government to eradicate all forms of violence against women, including FGM.
These efforts include a recent public meeting by the Ministry of Social Solidarity in Benban to highlight the risks of female genital cutting and the rights of girls, women and people with disabilities.
The meeting was part of a series of activities sponsored by the ministry on the margins of the Aswan International Women’s Film Festival which is held in the southern city between March 5 and 9.
The festival enjoys direct sponsorship from Social Solidarity Minister, Neveen el-Qabbaj, and Aswan Governor, Maj. Gen. Ashraf Attia.