Egyptian Women Build Financial, Social Safety Nets

Why this is here: A U.N. Women study found that 99.3 percent of women and girls in Egypt reported experiencing some form of sexual harassment, highlighting the urgent need for the safety networks these women are building.

Samah, Shahd, and Noura, working-class women in Egypt, are enacting quiet resistance through everyday actions. These women navigate economic strain, limited time, and unsafe public spaces by creating informal systems of support and self-reliance. Samah prepares meals with coworkers to ease the burden of double duty, while Shahd diverts small amounts of income into a private digital wallet.

Noura relies on rotating savings circles and WhatsApp networks to manage emergencies and avoid predatory lenders. Salma prioritizes recognition and shared commutes to improve safety on her journey home from work. These practices aren't about large-scale upheaval, but incremental shifts in power dynamics.

Formal initiatives, like Vodafone Cash’s training program and increasing rates of women’s financial inclusion—reaching 70% as of June 2025—reflect the growing importance of these self-organized systems. Though these tactics offer immediate benefits, challenges remain in addressing systemic issues and expanding access to formal protections. The work to build resilient, woman-centered support systems continues.