Egypt, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and UNODC officially Launch “Strengthening the Capacities of National Authorities to Combat Cybercrimes Targeting Women and Girls” Project

The launch ceremony was attended by H.E. Minister of Justice, Counselor Adnan Fanjari; H.E. Attorney General, Counselor Mohamed Shawky Ayyad; H.E. Judge Amal Ammar, Head of the National Council of Women; H.E. Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Egypt, Mr. Peter Mollema; Assistant Minister of Youth and Sports for Governmental Relations, Major General Ismail Al-Far; Assistant Minister of Interior for the Communications and Information Technology Sector, Major General Engineer Ahmed El-Adly; Head of the International Cooperation Sector at the Administrative Control Authority, Major General Mohamed El Nogomi; Minister Plenipotentiary Maha Serageldin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Ms. Cristina Albertin, UNODC Regional Representative for the Middle East and North Africa, alongside other key national partners.

In his opening remarks, H.E. Minister of Justice, Counselor Adnan Fanjari, noted: “Egypt places the highest priority on upholding the rights and dignity of women, recognizing their empowerment as a strategic imperative and a cornerstone of sustainable development. This commitment is reflected in the implementation of comprehensive protection and empowerment programmes, alongside the continual strengthening of our institutional and legislative frameworks, to guarantee every woman and girl the right to a safe and dignified life. This project represents a forward-looking vision, one that forges a vital link between law and technology, and between protection and knowledge. I look forward to deepening and sustaining our collaborative efforts, as we strive towards a more responsive and equitable system of justice, one capable of addressing the evolving challenges of our digital age.”

 “This partnership reflects our shared belief that justice systems must evolve to meet the challenges of the digital age, especially in protecting women and girls. My granddaughter is 5 now and I hope when she is 20 and I am 80 that she is able to combat all sorts of online violence and finds ways to protect herself”— said H.E. Peter Mollema, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Egypt. 

Ms. Cristina Albertin, UNODC Regional Representative, highlighted: “This project reflects our joint commitment to creating safer digital environments for women and girls, while enhancing national capacities to respond effectively to cyber threats. It builds on a longstanding partnership with all our national partners in the field of crime prevention and criminal justice, and we are proud to deepen this collaboration through a more comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable approach to strengthening national responses.”

Funded by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the two-year project focuses on four key intervention areas: raising public awareness and empowering women and girls; enhancing digital forensic and investigative capacities; improving institutional responses across the justice sector; and providing support to victims throughout the criminal justice cycle.

The launch event also marked the start of the project’s first specialized training workshop for criminal justice and law enforcement officials. This training aims to strengthen national responses to cybercrime by fostering coordination, sharing expertise, and developing practical, experience-based solutions.

The event stands as a model of partnership and joint action to tackle online violence and cybercrime, reinforcing shared efforts to protect women and girls in digital spaces through stronger national systems and coordinated responses.