{"id":22590791,"date":"2026-05-03T13:32:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T10:32:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/fra_news\/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b1%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%a8%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%a8%d8%ad%d8%ab-%d9%85%d8%b9-%d9%87%d9%8a%d8%a6%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d9%85%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T11:34:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T08:34:52","slug":"%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b1%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%a8%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%a8%d8%ad%d8%ab-%d9%85%d8%b9-%d9%87%d9%8a%d8%a6%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d9%85%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85","status":"publish","type":"fra_news","link":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/en\/fra_news\/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b1%d9%82%d8%a7%d8%a8%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%8a%d8%a9-%d8%aa%d8%a8%d8%ad%d8%ab-%d9%85%d8%b9-%d9%87%d9%8a%d8%a6%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a3%d9%85%d9%85-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%85\/","title":{"rendered":"FRA and UN Women Explore Initiatives to Empower Egyptian Women in the Non-Banking Financial Sector \u2013 Sunday 3 May 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\"><strong>Dr. Islam Azzam \u2013 FRA Chairman :<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul style=\"text-align: left\">\n<li><span style=\"color: #800000\">9 million women (53% of total) accessed SME financing in 2025.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #800000\">Developing flexible regulations to facilitate women&#8217;s access to financial services.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #800000\">Scaling micro-finance and micro-insurance to target high-need groups.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"color: #800000\">Women\u2019s empowerment is vital for inclusive and sustainable economic growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">Dr. Islam Azzam, FRA Chairman emphasized the necessity of expanding financial literacy and cybersecurity initiatives in tandem with the increasing adoption of financial technology (FinTech), particularly among Egyptian women in underserved areas.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">During a high-level meeting with UN Women, FRA Chairman discussed collaborative frameworks aimed at strengthening women\u2019s economic empowerment. Central to the dialogue was the promotion of diversified financial tools specifically designed for vulnerable populations and those currently enrolled in micro-financing initiatives.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-22572049 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062f\u0643\u062a\u0648\u0631-\u0627\u0633\u0644\u0627\u0645-\u0639\u0632\u0627\u0645-\u0648\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639\u0647-\u0645\u0639-\u0645\u0645\u062b\u0644\u064a-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629-300x169.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062f\u0643\u062a\u0648\u0631-\u0627\u0633\u0644\u0627\u0645-\u0639\u0632\u0627\u0645-\u0648\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639\u0647-\u0645\u0639-\u0645\u0645\u062b\u0644\u064a-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062f\u0643\u062a\u0648\u0631-\u0627\u0633\u0644\u0627\u0645-\u0639\u0632\u0627\u0645-\u0648\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639\u0647-\u0645\u0639-\u0645\u0645\u062b\u0644\u064a-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629-1024x577.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062f\u0643\u062a\u0648\u0631-\u0627\u0633\u0644\u0627\u0645-\u0639\u0632\u0627\u0645-\u0648\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639\u0647-\u0645\u0639-\u0645\u0645\u062b\u0644\u064a-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062f\u0643\u062a\u0648\u0631-\u0627\u0633\u0644\u0627\u0645-\u0639\u0632\u0627\u0645-\u0648\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639\u0647-\u0645\u0639-\u0645\u0645\u062b\u0644\u064a-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629-1536x865.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062f\u0643\u062a\u0648\u0631-\u0627\u0633\u0644\u0627\u0645-\u0639\u0632\u0627\u0645-\u0648\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639\u0647-\u0645\u0639-\u0645\u0645\u062b\u0644\u064a-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">Both parties agreed on a comprehensive package of joint programs and events, including specialized workshops, training programs, seminars, and panel discussions. These initiatives aim to raise financial awareness, build capacity, and enhance women\u2019s access to non-banking financial services. Such efforts support national financial inclusion goals and integration into the formal economy, while ensuring maximum protection against data theft and cyber-piracy.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Aziz and Mr. Walid Anwar, Assistants to Chairman, and Dr. Tarek Seif, Executive Director of the Financial Services Institute (FSI), along with several FRA leaders, attended the meeting. The presence of prominent female cadres underscored the Authority&#8217;s commitment to support women\u2019s roles and participation across various financial activities.<\/p>\n<p><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-22572051 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062d\u0636\u0648\u0631-\u0628\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629-300x169.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062d\u0636\u0648\u0631-\u0628\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629-300x169.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062d\u0636\u0648\u0631-\u0628\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629-1024x575.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062d\u0636\u0648\u0631-\u0628\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629-768x432.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062d\u0636\u0648\u0631-\u0628\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629-1536x863.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/\u0627\u0644\u062d\u0636\u0648\u0631-\u0628\u0627\u062c\u062a\u0645\u0627\u0639-\u0627\u0644\u0627\u0645\u0645-\u0627\u0644\u0645\u062a\u062d\u062f\u0629.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">Representing UN Women were Ms. Marwa Allam El-Din, Acting Head of UN Women Egypt; Dr. Yasmin Fouad, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Economics and Political Science, Cairo University; Mr. Magdy Moussa, Development Expert; and Ms. Engy Amin, Economic Development Specialist.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">Dr. Islam Azzam explained that women\u2019s empowerment is a primary pillar of FRA\u2019s strategy within its framework to promote financial inclusion and achieve sustainable development. He noted that the Authority is currently implementing a suite of initiatives and regulatory decision aimed at increasing women\u2019s participation in the non-banking financial sector, both as service beneficiaries and as active contributors to the industry.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">FRA Chairman highlighted that the Authority has established a robust regulatory and legislative framework, characterized by streamlined mandates for micro-finance and micro-insurance. These strategic measures are designed to bridge the accessibility gap for women in remote and marginalized regions, while incentivizing financial institutions to introduce new financial products that address women\u2019s specific needs and drive geographic expansion to reach those excluded from the formal economy.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">He further disclosed that in 2025, 1.9 million women accessed approximately EGP 36 billion in MSME financing, representing a significant 53% share of total beneficiaries. This milestone underscores the tangible impact of FRA\u2019s strategy to modernize regulatory and technological frameworks, while simultaneously bolstering financial literacy and institutional capacity within the sector.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">In this context, both parties discussed ways to increase women&#8217;s utilization of micro-insurance, micro-leasing, and micro-finance to improve living standards and bolster economic independence. The discussions also addressed expanding outreach to women in the Upper Egypt and Nile Delta governorates through awareness events and specialized training programs.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">Dr. Islam Azzam highlighted the launch of several training programs and initiatives in cooperation with the Financial Services Institute (FSI). These include specialized training grants for women, workshops, seminars, and panel discussions, as well as the provision of digital academic and training content designed to qualify women and enhance their ability to leverage opportunities within the non-banking financial sector (NBFS).<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">FRA Chairman emphasized that women&#8217;s economic empowerment is a fundamental pillar for achieving inclusive and sustainable growth. This will be realized through evolving regulatory frameworks and intensifying awareness and training efforts to ensure financial services reach all Egyptian women. He also stressed the importance of building partnerships with international organizations -led by UN Women &#8211; to exchange expertise and adopt global best practices.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">He noted that FRA\u2019s strategic vision extends beyond traditional opportunities to create a supportive work environment that ensures women&#8217;s empowerment and leadership development. To achieve this, the Authority has enforced gender-parity mandates, requiring non-banking financial institutions to maintain a minimum of two female board members or 25% representation. This is in addition to a newly adopted &#8216;Non-Discrimination Policy&#8217; that strictly prohibits gender-based bias while offering strategic incentives for institutions that abide by these standards.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">Dr. Islam Azzam further elaborated on the Authority\u2019s efforts to qualify female cadres for leadership through applied initiatives. Key programs include the &#8216;Certified Board Member&#8217; program in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the launch of &#8216; Women Empowerment&#8217; app, and the implementation of the &#8216;Women on Boards&#8217; program in partnership with Fulbright Program. These initiatives are strategically designed to bolster the presence of high-caliber female talent within executive leadership positions.<\/p>\n<p dir=\"ltr\" style=\"text-align: left\">The UN Women delegation commended FRA\u2019s efforts in supporting financial inclusion for Egyptian women. They underscored the importance of continued collaboration to launch qualitative initiatives targeting economic empowerment for women in marginalized areas, alongside periodic monitoring to measure the impact of ongoing programs and initiatives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":22572047,"parent":0,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[142,144],"tags":[3791,3839,3910,4195,4685,4821,4822,4823],"fra_news_taxonomy":[2137,2138],"news_paper_taxonomy":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fra_news\/22590791"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fra_news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/fra_news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22572047"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22590791"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22590791"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22590791"},{"taxonomy":"fra_news_taxonomy","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fra_news_taxonomy?post=22590791"},{"taxonomy":"news_paper_taxonomy","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/fra.gov.eg\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news_paper_taxonomy?post=22590791"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}