Brussels, 20/07/2012 (Agence Europe) - EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Catherine Ashton announced a €4 million initiative for women's rights on Thursday 19 July. This initiative will support an ID cards project for about two million women across the country. An identity card is “the first and basic step to enjoy basic rights as an individual”, Ashton said at the conference on “Egyptian Women: the way forward”.
The aid will also provide financial support to 18,000 poor women living in rural areas and 3,000 women living in the most impoverished areas of Cairo, and be used to help reduce violence against women especially in urban areas. “These are practical ways in which women can get involved in their own future. (…) the future belongs to you. No-one can do it but you. The road is long but you have the knowledge, passion and ability to make this successful”, Ashton said. The €4 million for this initiative come on top of the €7 million already provided by the EU for women's projects in Egypt.
Progressing in democratic transition
In her meeting with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, Ashton said the EU wanted to see an inclusive solution to the current parliamentary crisis and to see priority given to appointing a civilian and democratically legitimate government and putting in place a transparent constitutional framework. “The European Union and the European people wholeheartedly support the peaceful and orderly transition to a civilian and democratic government in Egypt”, she added. She said that “Deep Democracy” is not just organising one election, but building institutions and ensuring people's rights - freedom of expression, freedom of religion and respect for minorities. She also highlighted Egypt's economic difficulties and indicated that eh European private sector could bring real investment in the country. (CG/transl.rt)