In the heart of Egypt, a silent storm is brewing, one that’s not driven by winds or waves, but by the complex interplay of climate change, gender inequality, and the lingering effects of COVID-19. This is the focus of a recent study led by Mennatullah Salah, a researcher at the Maritime Post Graduate Studies Institute of the Arab Academy for Science Technology and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) in Alexandria. The study, published in the journal ‘Multidisciplinary Adaptive Climate Insights’ (which, in plain English, means a journal that looks at climate change from many different angles), sheds light on the unique challenges faced by rural women in Egypt, and the opportunities for maritime sectors to step up and make a difference.
Salah and her team dug deep into existing research to understand how these three major issues intersect and amplify the vulnerabilities of rural women. They found that systemic gender inequality, climate change, and the pandemic have created a perfect storm, leaving rural women in Egypt more marginalized than ever. “Systemic gender inequality, alongside the impacts of climate change and the pandemic, has significantly heightened rural women’s marginalization,” Salah explains. This marginalization isn’t just a social issue; it has real economic and commercial impacts too.
For instance, rural women in Egypt often play a crucial role in fisheries and aquaculture, sectors that are highly sensitive to climate change. As climate change alters weather patterns and sea levels, these women are often the first to feel the pinch. Yet, they’re often left out of the decision-making processes that could help them adapt and build resilience. This is a clear opportunity for maritime sectors to step in and support these women, not just for the sake of equality, but for the health of the industry itself.
The study also highlights the importance of education, skill development, and access to resources in empowering these women. This is where maritime sectors can play a pivotal role. By investing in training and education programs, maritime companies can help rural women develop the skills they need to adapt to a changing climate and a post-pandemic world. This isn’t just about doing good; it’s about building a more resilient and sustainable workforce.
Moreover, the study calls for policies that foster gender-sensitive climate and pandemic responses. This could open up new commercial opportunities for maritime sectors. For example, companies that specialize in sustainable and inclusive practices could find new markets and partnerships in Egypt and other countries facing similar challenges.
In the end, the study is a call to action. It’s a reminder that the challenges faced by rural women in Egypt are not just their challenges; they’re our challenges too. And the solutions won’t just benefit these women; they’ll benefit us all. As Salah puts it, “It’s about creating environments that promote resilience, equality, and sustainable development for rural women.” And that’s something we can all get behind.