The Egypt Women Symposium on "Raising Awareness On The Importance Of Preserving Water Resources"

Within the framework of the INECO Project, a symposium was organized at the premises of the Mansoura University on the 19^th of June 2007. The symposium, which was specifically targeted towards a female audience, was entitled “Raising Awareness on the Importance of Preserving Water Resources”, and aimed at initiating a discussion on the role of women in protecting the water environment and conserving water resources in the Dakahlia villages.

1^st Scientific Meeting: 10:00-11:00

Chairpersons

• Prof. Dr. Magdy Abu Rayan, President of Mansoura University and INECO Partner,

• Prof. Dr. Ahmed Bayoumi Shehab El-Deen, Vice-President for Post Graduate Studies & Research

• Prof. Dr. Farha El-Shennawi, Dean of Mansoura Faculty of Medicine

Speakers

• Prof. Dr. Ahmad Mansour, “Water-Related Diseases”

• Ms. Firyal Tobar, “The Role Of The National Council For Women In Raising Awareness on The Importance Of Preserving Water”

2^nd Scientific Meeting: 11:00-11:30
Chairpersons

• Prof. Dr. Firdous Abdel Fattah Dean of the College of Nursing, Mansoura University

• Ms. Feryal Tobar: National Council of Women, Dakahlia Governorate Branch

• Prof. Dr. Samy El-Fellaly, Agricultural Research Center, Cairo

Speakers:

• Dr. Caroline Gallez, Sengor University "How to protect water from pollution"

• Ms. Zubaydah Jaafar "The Role Of Civil Society And NGOs In The Protection Of Water Resources"

During the discussion session that followed, the most important issues raised were:

• Nafeesa Mohammed Ibrahim (Under Director, Directorate of Education, Dakahlia Governorate), underlined the importance of inviting representatives of the educational sector in such events. He pointed out that the number of students at various levels of education represents approximately 25% of the population of the Dakahlia Governorate, which offers an enormous opportunity for raising awareness on water conservation.

• Sheikh Mohammed Ahmed (Haggag-Inspector in the Great Dakahlia, Al Azhar), emphasized on the importance of water conservation, pointing out that in fact, religion urges such efforts, and recommended raising awareness by addressing such issues in the Friday sermons, performed in all mosques.

• Prof. Dr Ebtehal Mohamed Kamal, (Professor in Faculty of Agriculture-Mansoura University), underlined the importance of the role of women in water conservation and recommended limiting the use of canal water for washing purposes in the villages.

• Ms. Derya Mohamed Metwalli, (Secretary of Women- National Democratic Party, Mehala Kobra, Gharbia Governorate), stressed the important role of women in conserving and protecting water resources, given that they also constitute 50% of the total population. She further promised to address water protection and preservation issues in the programme of the Women's National Democratic Party.

• Mr. Hashim Shinnawi pointed out the interrelation between the Nile River and the country’s national security, given its vital importance in political, agricultural, trade and transport issues, and called for the need to communicate a message to every Egyptian citizen on the importance of protecting the river and its ecosystems.

• Mr. Ahmed Raslan, (National Democratic Party, Dakahlia Governorate), firstly pointed out the importance of the issue, which also concerns the future of next generations and recognized that water is the cornerstone of social, political and economic security. He subsequently proposed developing a collaborative action plan, with the participation of the Governorate, Directorate of Youth, civil society organizations and centers, cities, local units in villages for raising awareness, especially among women in rural villages, on the need to rationalize water consumption and protect water resources from pollution. This represents an important challenge, and is an issue to every citizen, as “he who does not have his water does not have the strength and approval”.

The recommendations of the symposium were the following:

• Promote environmental awareness through the motto "Drop of Water Equals Life"
• Reinforce the role of education in such efforts, as pupils and students currently represent approximately 25% of the Dakahlia Governorate population
• Activate the role of women in the preservation of water resources and rationalizing water consumption in Dakahlia villages, and distributing flyers on the national councils for women
• Concert efforts of all NGOs, local councils and also the preachers of Al Azhar and the Ministry of Social Solidarity to preserve water
• Present water use patterns should follow the current status of the resource, rather than following practices established in older times

• Enforce the application of the law penalizing wasteful water use

• Enforce the application of the law penalizing the pollution of freshwater sources through the discharge of industrial and agricultural effluents, and the uncontrolled disposal of waste

• Develop an educational action plan, to reinforce the cooperation among the University, the Directorate of Youth, the Governorate, civil society organizations, centers, local units, villages, the Environmental Affairs Agency, water companies, the media and National Women Councils, in order to promote the principles of water conservation and raise awareness among women, especially in rural areas, on the need to rationalize water consumption and reduce pollution of water resources.

Participants List

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