As part of the state’s commitment to empower women breadwinners in border regions, maximize development activities, and improve livelihoods in desert areas, Desert Research Center implemented a training program to support women in Siwa. Training courses were organized to utilize untapped natural resources, particularly in palm frond and halfa grass weaving, in addition to providing raw materials and opening outlets and exhibitions for marketing the products.
Dr. Israa Gamal, head of the Siwa Women’s Affairs Department at DRC, explained that 38 women were trained in palm frond and Halfa grass weaving through two training groups. She noted the high rate of women’s participation and their desire to acquire professional skills that would improve product quality and increase competitiveness.
She added that the Women’s Department at Sustainable Development Center for Matrouh Resources (SDCMR) aims to implement more training courses in the coming period in the fields of sewing, embroidery, macramé, and crochet, with the goal of enhancing women’s economic empowerment and achieving sustainable development in desert areas.
It is worth noting that the program is supported by “PRIDE” project, which is funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Egyptian government, and which supports development activities aimed at empowering women breadwinners and improving livelihoods in desert areas.
