‘Dream, achieve, and succeed' - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly

Al-Ahram Weekly

04-02-2025

Mrs Intissar Al-Sisi, spouse of Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, has said that awareness was the most crucial weapon in protecting the country and securing the future of upcoming generations.
'Together, we can create a world where every woman is free to dream, achieve, and succeed,' Mrs Al-Sisi said in a speech delivered at a conference held by the National Council for Women (NCW) on Sunday.
The conference 'With Awareness We Protect Her' emphasised the importance of awareness in combating societal challenges, empowering women, and securing Egypt's future. The message by Mrs Al-Sisi underscored the government's commitment to fostering a society rooted in knowledge and resilience.
President of the NCW Amal Emara pointed out in her opening address the importance of historical and modern contributions of Egyptian women. She highlighted symbolic figures such as the ancient queen Hatshepsut and the advocate for women's rights Hoda Shaarawi whose courage and determination defined Egypt's heritage. Emara also highlighted the council's efforts to leverage social media as a platform for advocacy. 'Through our campaigns, the council has addressed critical societal issues and augmented women's voices across the country,' Emara, a counsellor, said.
During the event the documentary Egyptian Women was screened. It paid tribute to pioneering women who have strongly influenced Egypt's history, starting with Shaarawi to modern-day heroines who have challenged societal changes and even terrorism. The documentary celebrated the resilience and contributions of Egyptian women throughout the generations. A short film was also presented that explored the four phases of societal destabilisation. It illustrated how nations can be weakened through moral decay, instability, crisis manipulation, and ideological dominance, serving as a blunt reminder of the dire need for awareness.
During the conference, a seminar moderated by Riham Al-Deeb, a member of the National Media Authority, brought together influential figures to discuss strategies for fostering awareness and protecting future generations. Sara Aziz, founder and CEO of SAFE which raises awareness about the abuse of children in Egypt, emphasised the role of mothers in building awareness. 'Awareness is the fortress that protects homes and children. Mothers should tell bedtime stories to their children and dedicate time for open conversations to enhance their awareness. Times have changed, and now courses for free are available to study children's issues, including the risks of social media's various platforms,' Aziz said.
Writer and thinker Khaled Ghattas warned about the dangers of social media, noting that 'people often say social media is a double-edged sword, but in reality its negative impact is more than its benefits.' Ghattas stressed the importance of family gatherings at mealtime, citing studies that prove the habit helps prevent addiction and other societal problems. In addition, Dalia Ibrahim, head of Nahdet Misr Publishing House, pointed to the essential role of mothers in forming successful individuals. Citing a 75-year Harvard study, Ibrahim noted, 'Successful men usually attribute their accomplishments to their mothers.'
Islamic scholar Mustafa Hosni defined four main points for increasing individuals' awareness: psychological direction, a safe home environment, a moral value system, and loyalty to the country. Hosni stressed that love and loyalty to one's country is akin to faith. 'Parental support is essential in shaping children's personalities to become confident and successful,' Hosni said.
The event also addressed the harmful impact of electronic games on children's mental and physical health. A video segment during the event highlighted the link between certain electronic games to depression, suicide, and aggressive behaviour.
* A version of this article appears in print in the 6 February, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly
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