The Arab Network for Environment and Development (RAED) participated in a panel discussion on the “Dawayer” program, one of the initiatives of the Association for Woman’s Total Advancement & Development (AWTAD). The program promotes innovative women-led business initiatives in the sustainable rural tourism sector in Sohag Governorate.

The “Dawayer” program aims to support national policies by fostering sustainable and innovative models of rural tourism that emphasize women’s economic participation. The program targets the financing and training of 100 female entrepreneurs in Sohag to promote local products such as, akhmim, tulle embroidery, traditional foods and dairy products. To achieve this, the foundation addresses several challenges, such as the lack of formal registration for many female entrepreneurs, the monopolization of raw materials (e.g. embroidery threads) by certain individuals, which exposes entrepreneurs to exploitation. Also, the resistance among participants to adopting new designs, raw materials or innovative ideas.

The discussions concluded that the next phase requires the establishment of two sales outlets for rural women entrepreneurs’ products to ensure the project’s success and sustainability. Additionally, new marketing mechanisms are needed to more effectively promote these distinctive handcrafted products.