This year, under the theme “Equal rights, equal opportunity, progress for all” nations around the world recognize the achievements, struggles and success stories of women and girls in the past, present and future. In this regard, events, discussions and commemorations are made in tribute to women of all race, religion and color.

The Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement, in collaboration with UNIFEM Egypt and Cairo International Model United Nations in the American University in Cairo (CIMUN), celebrated their own“Women’s Week” with a series of events on campus including an information booth, documentary viewing and discussions to raise awareness of the vital role women play in creating more peaceful and better societies.

Throughout the awareness week, MUN students also had the opportunity to promote UNIFEM’s global call for action “Say NO- UNITE, End Violence against Women”, which aims to combat sexual harassment especially against women and girls. MUN Organizing Committee members, heads, secretariats and High Board members, wearing their red and white T-shirts encouraged AUC students to take an action by signing their names for the initiative.

In addition, informative flyers about the history of International Women’s day and the United Nation’s efforts to promote women, peace and security, were prepared and distributed by the Peace Movement and UNIFEM.

Successfully 300 student signed on to the call for action, while many more were able to gain a deeper understanding about how to support the Peace Movement and UNIFEM’s initiative to enhance the role of women in building peace and security.

Under “Women’s Week” in the American University in Cairo, MUN students watched a documentary on Human Trafficking “Red Light” narrated by Lucy Liu exposing the trafficking of women and children in Cambodia. Following the documentary; a discussion took place between the MUN students and Mrs. Nagwa Shoeb, Director General of the Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement and Dr. Azza El Ashmawy, General Director of Anti- Trafficking in Children Unit at the Ministry of State for Family and Population and Ms. Elaine Bainard, Chief of Child Protection in UNICEF who answered the students questions on the definition of Human Trafficking, the situation in the Arab Region and the Egyptian efforts in combating the phenomenon. In this regard, Mrs. Nagwa Shoeb highlighted the Peace Movement’s efforts in encouraging the Business community in addressing the topic.

Over the past year, the Suzanne Mubarak Women’s International Peace Movement and UNIFEM Egypt have worked to develop a joint initiative, entitled “Activating the power of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325: Women, Peace and Security”, that seeks to introduce the principles of UNSC resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security to Model United Nations students in Egypt.  Initially launched in Cairo, the initiative aims to enable MUN students across the country to help foster a respect for women human rights, women and girls’ education and gender equality, as well as the centrality of empowering women, and increasing their active participation in all peace processes and in peace building,

The Peace Movement and UNIFEM would like to thank all CIMUN team for the successful event, as well as all their partners who put all their efforts in making the “Women’s Week” so successful. A special thanks also goes to Bouteille de Lait in France for designing the beautiful flyers for the initiative.

 For more information please visit the following website:

Say No to violence Against Women website :

 http://www.saynotoviolence.org/about-say-no

International Women’s Day:

 http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

Bouteille de Lait ( design agency): 

http://bouteille-de-lait.com/index.html