Background
Gender-based violence remains a critical issue in both Egypt and the UK. In Egypt, according to UNFPA, up to 86% of women have experienced some form of violence, including domestic violence.
The National Council for Women has reported a significant rise in domestic violence cases, with divorce rates reaching 220,000 in 2020.
In the UK, violence against women and girls has reached epidemic levels, constituting approximately 20% of all reported crime in England and Wales from 2022 to 2023. According to an NPCC report it's estimated that one in every 12 women in the UK is expected to experience gender-based violent offenses annually, which include rape, stalking, harassment, and online sexual exploitation.
Over one million incidents of violence against women and girls were recorded in the past year alone, marking a 37% increase in such violent crimes from 2018 to 2023.
The UK and Egypt are working together to address this shared challenge.
British Embassy in Cairo launched the UK لها ومعها (For Her, With Her) Fund in November 2023. This fund is dedicated to supporting efforts to prevent gender-based violence (GBV) and support survivors in Egypt, through Egyptian organisations.
