UK ambassador visits women support center

British Ambassador to Egypt John Casson on Tuesday visited a support center in North Cairo court for women who have suffered violence.

The center is set up with assistance from the British Embassy in Cairo, said a statement issued by the British Embassy.

Casson met Egypt's Assistant Minister of Justice Counsellor Ghada el-Shehawy, Chief of North Cairo court Mahmoud el-Rashidy and employees at the women support center, which is one of four centers established to provide support to women who have suffered violence or sexual harassment.

The centers are part of the “My Right” project – a UK-Egyptian initiative run through a partnership of the British Embassy in Cairo, the British Council, the Ministry of Justice, and Egyptian civil society organisations.

The initiative aims to help reduce the reduction of violence against women and help them know and understand their rights.

The centers provide women who have suffered violence with legal advice and psychological support, and can help women find additional support such as medical help.

Since April 2015, over 150 women have received specialized help from the centers, which are based in North Cairo, Alexandria, Tanta, and Aswan. This year, four new centers will open in Assiut, Banha, Beni Suef, and Mansoura.

British-Egyptian partnership is at the center of project. The women support centers were modeled on existing Victim Support Centers in the UK and British Embassy funding for the project is worth 6.7m LE.

Casson said the “My Right” project is a ground-breaking and innovative initiative that is making a real difference to Egyptian women’s lives.

It is empowering women to be decision-makers, he said, adding that the project is an excellent example of partnership where Egyptian civil society and government experts have taken British ideas and experience and transformed them into a model suited to Egyptian society.

Egypt is rich in human resources and can achieve anything if it empowers people and protects their rights, he concluded.