By : Bakinam Khaled 

Raya Holding for Financial Investments, a listed company on the Egyptian Stock Exchange, announced its official collaboration with the Women’s Economic and Social Empowerment Program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented in Egypt by Pathfinder International. This collaboration reflects Raya’s strong commitment to the principles of gender equity, diversity, and inclusion through their business practices.

The partnership is aimed at designing and rolling out viable models to integrate more women within the value chain of Raya Holding, potentially in sectors where women are underrepresented, advancing safer and more inclusive workplaces for all, actively working to achieve gender-sensitive practices, and receiving the technical support to enable Raya Holding and its subsidiaries to obtain the Egyptian Gender Equity Seal (EGES) Certification.

Ahmed Khalil, CEO of Raya Group, said: “Raya prioritizes the promotion of gender equity, diversity, and inclusion. As a dynamic investment conglomerate with a global presence, we understand the significance of diversity and the importance of eliminating all types of discrimination against women and addressing associated biases. Thus, we take measures towards these objectives; we have a strict policy in place to prevent sexual harassment in our work environment. We also extend our policies across our value chains.”

“We are proud to announce our commitment towards enacting this collaboration, which is a significant step forward in our journey towards promoting more inclusive workplaces and communities and promoting financial inclusion,” added Khalil.

Dina Kafafi, Chief of Party, USAID Women’s Economic and Social Empowerment Program, Pathfinder International, stated that “women’s participation is not just a matter of equality; it’s an economic imperative. Their inclusion in the private sector is a catalyst for growth, innovation, and sustainable development.”

The Women’s Economic and Social Empowerment Program is designed to engage, leverage, and partner with the private sector as well as local communities and NGOs to encourage women’s active participation in the workforce. It seeks to promote tailored, market-based solutions to empower women, address violence, and achieve the economic and social advantages of gender-inclusive policies and practices. The EGES is a crucial initiative of the Economic and Social Empowerment Program. 

It aims to create a conducive work environment for women and promote their economic participation, focusing on implementing practices in the areas of selection, recruitment, and employment opportunities, which are essential for enhancing human capital outcomes, enhancing career growth, fostering a healthy work-life balance, and enforcing measures against sexual harassment.

Earlier in 2023, Raya Holding for Financial Investments announced that Raya has been officially certified by the Top Employers Institute as a “Top Employer 2023” in Egypt. The company has been honored with recognition for its exceptional achievements in improving human resources and implementing top-notch practices.