GOOD PRACTICE - Empowering women to organise themselves in elected committees. CEOSS, Egypt

Good Practice - Empowering women to organise themselves in elected committees and empowering them to practice democracy and to participate in decision-making and claim their economic and social rights.  

Brief summary

The action design applies many approaches and recommendations mentioned in the call for proposal. In detail: a careful selection of target groups among the broader informal economy (i.e., action focuses on women with minimal or no education, both in urban and rural poor communities in Egypt as well as women with disabilities as a specific sub-group, as they represent one of the most marginalized and vulnerable groups in Egypt).

An initial survey was targeted to 30 communities in the area: this action assured that accurate information are available about current conditions, skills, and needs of the target groups, as well as the gaps and opportunities that might exist in the communities (public and private companies, industries were surveyed to detect which skills they lack in employees, as well as the potential of partnering with small businesses, producers, service providers, entrepreneurs among target groups). Further activities (training, linkages, capacity building, etc.) were tailored to specific needs and conditions in the target communities. Action also includes components of the empowerment of the target groups though the establishment of local committees and associations aimed at representing the interests of target groups in the long term.

Key Areas of Good Practice

• Advocacy Methods (1.2)
• Knowledge of rights, laws and regulations (2.3)
• Support to improve Occupational Safety and Health among informal economy workers (2.3)
• Community-based social protection (4.4)