MADE BY EGYPTIAN WOMEN

supporting craftswomen and artisan women entrepreneurs 
by giving them the knowledge and tools to produce
High quality hand-made products

ATCF Contribution:

Grant Awarded:

Location: Governorate of Aswan, Egypt

IMPACT:

Governorate of Aswan is a southern region of Egypt popular for its unique handicrafts made by women of low human development index. In ancient Egypt, the city of Aswan was known as “Sono” meaning “the market” and was considered a commercial center for the city of Nubia situated alongside the Nile river. Aswan has deep roots in crafts and folk art with traditional crafts ranging from beadwork, tablecloth production, palm branch and leaf creations, as well as clay and needle-work products. The local women are known for their determination and eagerness to serve as productive members of the community. Made by Egyptian Women is a project designed for craftswomen and artisan women entrepreneurs to build capacity and teach tools to improve technical, managerial, organizational and digital marketing skills to empower entrepreneurial women to improve their products and gain access to international market with high quality hand-made products.

The ATCF and the wider Adventure Travel community have come together to award this grant as part of the Aliaa Abaza Memorial Fund in honor of Adventure Travel Trade Association employee Aliaa Abaza who served as the Community Lead for Europe, Africa and the Middle East up until her recent passing. Digital Museum of Women will receive $?? to support in administering the Made by Egyptian Women project that empowers craftswomen and artisan women entrepreneurs in Southern Egypt.

the issue

Many female members of the local community are currently underprivileged, affected by economic, political and socio-cultural elements which have created a large gender gap and disparity in their incomes. This project provides trainings on product development, packaging & quality control, getting into new markets, advertising and branding, exhibition management, customer service, post sales services, contracting suppliers and legal liability. There will also be a digital platform provided to the Egyptian women artisans to help them sell their products. In addition to documenting the national heritage of handicrafts coming from certain parts of Egypt, this project will highlight art coming out of the Aswan -Southern region of Egypt, the current home of old Nubia and the remains of its ancient culture. Aswan is known for its unique handicrafts with artisans showing determination and eagerness to be productive members of their community. 

the goal

The goal of this project is to revive cultural heritage in the region and empower the local female community in areas of employability and education.

Impacts

• Support level two of training for approximately thirty women with four handicrafts

PROJECT UPDATES

Coming soon…

More about The Digital Museum of Women

​The Digital Museum of Women or "Zatek" in Arabic means your female soul. This is an online and factual information system to research, advocate, document and exhibit women's history and current issues along with provide women with tools and knowledge for empowerment. The museum uses internet and digital technology such as photography, digital video, audio systems, graphics and other to document women's participation in the Egyptian daily life (Art, Political participation, culture, economy, Social involvement). The information is also used to highlight, disseminate information and build networks to improve women's statues in Egypt and Arabic speaking countries.

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