Empower Her

REDEFINING GENDER INCLUSION IN EGYPT

Empower-Her Champions

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Despite notable progress in women’s education levels throughout Egypt, their involvement and employment rates remain alarmingly low. This troubling gap stems from entrenched societal norms, enduring gender biases, and regulatory frameworks that unintentionally endorse gender-based limitations. As a result, Egyptian women encounter various obstacles, including substandard job opportunities, significant wage disparities, limited career prospects, and dwindling access to affordable care services. The Empower-Her Champions competition emerges as a catalyst for change, motivating private sector Egyptian companies to develop innovative and effective initiatives for empowering women  in the workplace. We are on the lookout for Egypt’s most impactful concepts that promote women’s inclusion and empowerment, which we aim to celebrate and co-fund.

 

Upcoming Orientation Session

Are you eager to make a meaningful impact in promoting gender equality within the workplace? Join us for our exclusive Orientation Session on Tuesday 26th of March designed to unveil the process, requirements, and gains of Empower-Her  Champions competition.

What to Expect:

  • Insightful Discussions: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the competition’s objectives, action fields, and how your company can contribute.
  • Interactive Q&A: Have your questions addressed directly by our team, ensuring you have clarity on participation guidelines.

Empower-Her Champions: Transforming Workplaces, Empowering Women

About the Competition

At the heart of Empower-Her Champions competition lies a mission to drive transformative change within Egypt’s business community. We recognize the undeniable potential of every individual, irrespective of gender, and aim to champion the cause of gender equality in professional settings.

Objectives and Goals​

The competition is designed to spotlight companies that pioneer fostering gender inclusivity. By showcasing and rewarding innovative gender-centric initiatives, we hope to inspire a ripple effect that compels other organizations to reevaluate and enhance their gender policies.

Focus Areas

Our competition focuses on three critical areas for women’s empowerment in the workplace: recruitment, retention, and career advancement. Through innovative strategies and initiatives in these domains, we aim to address gender disparities and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for women employees.

Competition Format and Timeline

The competition progresses through key stages, starting with initial applications and advancing to detailed proposals. Eligible participants are shortlisted for recognition, concluding in an awards ceremony that celebrates innovative gender inclusion initiatives. Post-awards, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation ensure lasting impact and accountability.

What’s In It For You?

Promote Gender Equality:

Showcase your dedication to gender equality and diversity in the workplace, enhancing your company's reputation and brand image.

Access Funding:

Stand a chance to receive financial support of 40% from GIZ to implement your gender-inclusive initiatives, ensuring the sustainability and success of your projects.

Networking Opportunities:

Connect with like-minded organizations, industry leaders, and potential partners during the competition and awards ceremony, fostering valuable relationships for future collaborations.

Recognition and Visibility:

Gain recognition for your company's efforts in promoting gender equality through features on the competition's website, social media campaigns, press releases, and Techne's newsletter.

Professional Development:

Benefit from specialized information sessions and consultations tailored to your company's needs, equipping you with valuable insights and resources to drive impactful change.

Exclusive Event Access:

Receive invitations to the prestigious awards ceremony during Techne Summit Cairo, granting you access to high-profile networking opportunities and industry insights.

Eligibility Criteria

This competition is designed to empower private sector companies based and operating in Egypt while focusing on the development and implementation of gender-centric activities. The primary beneficiaries of this initiative are female Egyptians, and we invite eligible companies to participate and contribute to creating a more inclusive and diverse workplace environment.

Beneficiary Focus

The primary beneficiaries of the proposed gender activities within the company should be female Egyptians. The competition encourages initiatives that directly impact and empower women in the workplace, supporting their professional growth and well-being.

Company Requirements

To be eligible for the Gender Competition, companies must meet the following criteria:

  • Location: The company must be based and actively operating in Egypt.
  • Size: While we encourage the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), startups, and family businesses, we welcome applications from companies of all sizes.

Action Fields

The proposed gender initiatives should focus on at least one of the following action fields, recognized as crucial for the MENA region/Egypt:

  • Recruitment of Women: Implement strategies to enhance the recruitment of female talent within the company.
  • Retention and Safety of Female Employees: Develop measures ensuring a safe and supportive environment for female employees, thereby promoting retention.
  • Career Advancement of Women: Create opportunities and pathways for the career advancement of women within the organization.

Timeline

Announcement & Launch
Date
Official announcement of the competition with the release of guidelines, objectives, and application details. The competition portal goes live, initiating the application process.
Orientation Sessions
Date
A singular orientation session is held to officially launch the competition. This session aims to inform potential participants about the competition's details, objectives, and guidelines, allowing them to assess their interest and readiness to participate.
Phase 1: Initial Applications
Date
Companies submit their initial applications, expressing their interest and preliminary concepts related to gender inclusion in the workplace.
Phase 2: Shortlisting & Communication
Date
After thorough evaluation and identified selection criteria,, shortlisted companies are notified and guided towards the next phase of the competition.
Information Sessions
Date
After the initial shortlisting, shortlisted applicants will have the opportunity to attend specialized information sessions. These sessions are tailored to provide deeper insights into the competition's action fields and offer guidance on what is expected in the comprehensive proposals they will later submit.
Phase 3: Comprehensive Proposals
Date
Shortlisted companies, having attended the information sessions, submit detailed proposals, elaborating on their innovative gender inclusion initiatives.
Evaluation & Judging
Date
A panel of esteemed judges assesses the proposals based on the competition criteria, aiming to recognize the most impactful gender initiatives.
Winners Announcement & Awards Ceremony
Date
The top 10 performing companies are celebrated in a grand awards ceremony, acknowledging their dedication and innovation in promoting gender inclusion where top 3 winners will be chosen.
Post-Competition Support & Monitoring
Date
Winning companies receive support to implement their initiatives, with ongoing monitoring to evaluate the real-world impact of the competition.

Importance and Relevance

Each of these action fields plays a pivotal role in addressing gender disparities in the workplace. By strategically focusing on recruitment, retention, advancement, and beyond, organizations can cultivate environments where women thrive, bridging the gender gap and harnessing the full potential of their workforce.

Recruitment of Women

In the realm of 'Recruitment of Women,' the focus is on creating avenues for women to enter the workforce and ensuring unbiased selection processes. This field emphasizes establishing inclusive hiring practices that not only attract but also fairly evaluate female candidates, ensuring their skills and potential are recognized and valued.

Retention and Safety of Female Employees

It's vital to prioritize the retention and safety of female employees. This encompasses creating nurturing work environments that not only prevent harassment and discrimination but also promote family-friendly policies. Offering recognition programs, on-site care nurseries, flexible work arrangements, and other supportive measures are essential for fostering a culture where women feel valued, safe, and motivated to stay

Career Advancement of Women

Beyond recruitment and retention, the 'Career Advancement of Women' is about breaking the glass ceiling. This field emphasizes providing women with equal opportunities for growth, mentorship, and leadership roles within organizations. By addressing barriers to advancement, organizations not only empower individual women but also benefit from diverse leadership perspectives.

Open Action Field

Recognizing the dynamic nature of gender inclusion efforts, we also welcome initiatives addressing other relevant areas or action fields within the broader context of gender equality and workplace inclusion. If you believe there's another vital aspect that warrants attention, we encourage you to propose and champion that cause.
 

Community Partners

Apply now

Fill out our short application form (less than 5 minutes), and show your interest in participating!