British Ambassador John Casson visits “My Right” centre
British Ambassador John Casson visits “My Right” centre; praises civil society partnership in UK-Egyptian initiative in combating violence against women
British Ambassador John Casson today visited a support centre in North Cairo court for women who have suffered violence, set up with assistance from the British Embassy in Cairo.
Casson met Assistant Minister of Justice Counsellor Ghada el-Shehawy, the North Cairo court chief judge Mahmoud el-Rashidy and employees at the women support centre, which is one of four centres established to provide support to women who have suffered violence or sexual harassment.
The centres 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 centres 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 specialised help from the centres, which are based in North Cairo, Alexandria, Tanta, and Aswan. This year, four new centres will open in Assiut, Banha, Beni Suef, and Mansoura.
British-Egyptian partnership is at the centre of project. The women support centres were modelled on existing Victim Support Centres 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. It 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.