ILO advances gender-responsive just transition in Egypt

Cairo, Egypt (ILO news)- As part of efforts to promote gender equality and a just transition towards green and sustainable economies, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has launched a two-day workshop entitled "Gender-responsive just transition with a focus on women's entrepreneurship development". The workshop is part of the 'Advancing the Decent Work Agenda in North Africa' project, funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

The workshop, held during the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign, serves as a dynamic platform for collaboration. It gathers representatives from government agencies, the private sector, trade unions, civil society, academia, development partners, and international experts. Together, participants aim to develop a roadmap for promoting a gender-responsive green transition in Egypt.

Opening session

The opening session featured remarks by Mr. Eric Oechslin, Director of the ILO Cairo Office, and recorded messages from H.E. Dr. Rania Al Mashat, Minister of Planning, Economic Development, and International Cooperation, and H.E. Mohamed Gobran, Minister of Labour.

H.E. Dr. Rania Al Mashat emphasized the synergy between social justice and environmental sustainability: “We have a unique opportunity to shape a future where equity and environmental sustainability are a reality. The green transition, which is equally vital for our collective future, must leave no one behind. In this transformation, women must not only be participants, but also leaders, innovators and drivers of change.”

The Minister also highlighted Egypt’s efforts to create an enabling environment for women entrepreneurs, particularly in sectors critical to the green transition, such as agriculture, renewable energy and waste management. She also reviewed government initiatives such as the Egyptian Gender Equality Seal in 2022, which applies the World Bank’s model and has been institutionalized within the National Council for Women to ensure its sustainability. She explained that 13 private sector companies are currently certified under this initiative, with many others expressing interest.

For his part, H.E. Mohamed Gobran, Minister of Labour, underscored the need to integrate national efforts with global goals to adapt to climate change. He said: "Climate change is a pressing global issue with implications for the world of work, including job losses and increased occupational safety and health risks. The Egyptian government has prioritized adaptation through green recovery projects, including hosting the COP27."

He highlighted the Ministry’s initiatives, including the "Climate is My Responsibility" campaign and efforts to train occupational safety and health inspectors, stressing the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

Mr Eric Oechslin, Director of the ILO Office in Cairo, reaffirmed the organization’s dedication to achieving a just transition: “In Egypt, the principles of a gender-responsive just transition are strategically aligned with national policy priorities and initiatives such as Egypt Vision 2030, the National Climate Change Strategy and the National Initiative for Smart Green Projects, among others.  the ILO has been actively supporting this agenda through targeted programmes and initiatives.”

Oechslin highlighted the achievements of the Sida- funded ADWA’ project, including the inclusion of green economy data in the Egyptian Labour Market Panel Survey for the first time, making it one of the few surveys to provide insights into this critical area.

He also announced the forthcoming publication of an Arabic-language guide on 'Gender, Equality and Inclusion for a Just Transition in Climate Action', which will support the adoption of gender-responsive policies by national institutions.

Workshop objectives

The workshop focuses on strengthening participants’ capacities to develop inclusive and gender-responsive strategies for a just transition, in line with ILO guidelines. It aims to promote policy dialogue on the role of women's entrepreneurship development as a driving force for achieving gender equality in the green economy, and to increase knowledge on the linkages between gender equality, climate action and decent work.

Expected outcomes

The workshop is expected to develop recommendations outlining the next steps for integrating gender-responsive principles of just transition into Egypt’s policies. It will foster an inclusive network of stakeholders committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting gender equality within the green economy, and ensuring a better future for all, with a focus on the role of women as key drivers of change.