Celebrating International Women Day, on the 10th of March 2018, Fellow FORTUNE/US State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership alumnae, Shaymaa Kadry, through GISR Institution for Survey Research, in partnership with Vital Voices (a leading non-governmental organization that identifies, trains and empowers emerging women leaders and social entrepreneurs around the globe, enabling them to create a better world), and sponsored by the U.S. Embassy’s American Center, have organized the Global Mentoring Walk (GMW) 2018 in Cairo, Egypt. The event was held parallel to the Maker Faire event at the Smart Village (6th of October city). The Opening speech was given by Mrs. Dorothy Shea, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy, and Mrs. Anissa Hassouna, Egyptian Parliament member and former executive director of Magdy Yakoub foundation.
The Global Mentoring Walk is an opportunity to highlight the importance of women’s leadership and to accelerate the impact of women leaders through mentoring. It connects established women leaders and emerging women leaders to walk together in their community. As they walk, they discuss their personal and professional challenges and successes to establish a mentoring relationship, in which the established leader guides, advises and supports an emerging leader.
The theme of the event this year in Egypt was “Women in Development,” in which distinguished leaders in community development organizations mentored emerging women leaders who intend to work and develop in the development field and civil society organizations.
Before the event, applications were open to mentees: young ladies aged between 20-29 years old, who wanted to join the development field. From over 150 applications, 28 mentees were selected. Mentors from community development organizations – both national and international – were carefully chosen. 25 Mentors with proven record of achievements, success, and hard work from the UN Women, The World Food Program, The GIZ, Care International – Egypt and other reputable organizations volunteered to be mentors during this walk.
Photos of the event can be found at the Gallery section.