Maya Morsy

{{short description|Egyptian political scientist}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Maya Morsy | office = Minister of Social Solidarity | term_start = 3 July 2024 | image = Dr.MayaEgypt.jpg | caption = | preceded = Nevine el-Kabbaj | birth_date = 13 December 1973 | country = Egypt | birth_name = Maya Mohamed Abdel-Moneim Morsy | office1 = President of the National Council for Women | term_start1 = 1 February 2016 | term_end1 = 3 July 2024 | education = | term_start3 = 2011 | office3 = Head of the Egypt Country Office United Nations Fund for Women | term_end3 = 2013 | alma_mater = Institute of Arab Research and Studies (PhD)<br /> City University of Seattle (MA)<br /> City University of Seattle (MBA)<br /> The American University in Cairo (BA) | office4 = Country Coordinator/Director of UNIFEM and liaison for the League of Arab States | term_end4 = 2010 | term_start4 = 1999 | preceded1 = Mervat Tallawy | successor1 = Amal Ammar | prime_minister = Mostafa Madbouly | president = Abdel Fattah el-Sisi }} '''Maya Morsy''' ({{langx|ar|مايا مرسي}}; born 13 December 1973) is an Egyptian political scientist, specialist in public policy, and advocate for woman's and human rights. She is the Minister of Social Solidarity of Egypt since 2024 and served as president of the National Council for Women between 2016 and 2024.<ref name=AlAhram1Feb2016>[http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/186481/Egypt/Politics-/UNDP-regional-expert-Maya-Morsy-elected-head-of-Eg.aspx "UNDP regional expert Maya Morsy elected head of Egypt’s National Council for Women"], ''Al-Ahram'', 1 February 2016.</ref><ref name=Ind26Sept2017>[http://www.egyptindependent.com/head-egypts-ncwr-calls-parliament-ratifies-21-legal-age-girls-marriage/ "Head of Egypt's NCWR calls on Parliament to ratifies 21 as legal age of girls’ marriage"], ''Egypt Independent'', 26 September 2017.</ref><ref>[https://dailynewsegypt.com/2017/06/20/national-council-women-presents-2030-egyptian-women-empowerment-strategy-unog/ "National Council for Women presents 2030 Egyptian Women Empowerment Strategy in UNOG"], ''Daily News'' (Egypt), 20 June 2017.</ref>

Morsy previously served as regional gender team leader for the Regional bureau of United Nations Development Programme in New York City and Regional Center in Amman before she served as the Country Manager for the United Nations Development Fund for Women.<ref name=AlAhram1Feb2016/><ref name=WEF/> She has been described as "one of the best public policy experts on social gender in Egypt, and perhaps even in all of the Arab world".<ref name=Mahmoud21Feb2016>Mahmoud, Ahmed (21 February 2016). [http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/4/0/188086/Opinion/-Maya-Morsi-Another-step-in-the-right-direction.aspx "Maya Morsi: Another step in the right direction"], ''Al Ahram''.</ref>

In 2022, Morsy was elected by the UN member states to the United nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) from 2023 to 2026.<ref>{{Cite web | title=In pics: Egypt wins membership of Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women for 2023-2026 - EgyptToday | work=EgyptToday | url=https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/117100/In-pics-Egypt-wins-membership-of-Committee-on-the-Elimination | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623204612/https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/117100/In-pics-Egypt-wins-membership-of-Committee-on-the-Elimination | access-date=2025-08-12 | archive-date=2022-06-23}}</ref>

[[File:Morsy Honors.jpg|alt=The First Lady of Egypt gives honors to Morsy|thumb|Maya Morsy receives honors from the First Lady of Egypt]]

==Education== Morsy obtained a BA in political science from the American University in Cairo in 1995, an MBA from the City University of Seattle in 1997, and an MA in public administration from Seattle in 1998. In 2008 she received a PhD in public policy from the Institute of Arab Research and Studies in Cairo, a nominee for the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy from Honoris causa Rai University, Ahmedabad in Gujarat, India with a Focus on Girls education and Women’s empowerment in 2019.<ref name=WEF>[http://www.wef.org.in/dr-maya-morsy/ "Dr. Maya Morsi"], Women Economic Forum.</ref><ref name=whoisshe>[http://whoisshe.wmf.org.eg/expert-profile/maya-morsy "Maya Morsy"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511152202/http://whoisshe.wmf.org.eg/expert-profile/maya-morsy |date=2019-05-11 }}, whoisshe.wmf.org.eg.</ref><ref name=Mahmoud21Feb2016/>

==Career== [[File:Maya-Morsy.jpg|thumb|Maya Morsy at National Council for Women]] In her capacity as President of NCW in Egypt, Morsy is also head of the supreme council of the Arab Women Organization, Current President of the Ministerial Council of Women Development Organization, and Chair of the Executive Bureau of the Women Development Organization of the Member states of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Morsy also is the Co-Chair of the National Committee to Eradicate Female Genital Mutilation since 2019.<ref>{{Cite web | title=UNFPA Egypt {{!}} National Committee for the Eradication of FGM holds eighth meeting | url=https://egypt.unfpa.org/en/news/national-committee-eradication-fgm-holds-eighth-meeting | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=egypt.unfpa.org}}</ref>

Morsy is also G100 Global Chair on Economic empowerment within [https://www.g100.in Group of 100 Global Women leaders]<ref>{{Cite web | title=Dr. Maya Morsy - G100 {{!}} Group of 100 Global Women Leaders | url=https://www.g100.in/dr-maya-morsy/ | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=www.g100.in}}</ref>

In 2021, She Headed the Egyptian Delegation entitled to discuss Egypt’s 8th – 10th periodic reports to the UN CEDAW in Geneva.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Speech of Head of the Egyptian delegation Her Excellency. Dr. Maya Morsy | url=https://ncw.gov.eg/News/5888/Speech-of-Head-of-the-Egyptian-delegation-Her-Excellency-Dr | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419215928/https://ncw.gov.eg/News/5888/Speech-of-Head-of-the-Egyptian-delegation-Her-Excellency-Dr | access-date=2025-08-12 | archive-date=2024-04-19}}</ref>

In 2019, Morsy was member of the Egyptian Delegation discussing Egypt's universal periodic report by the UN human rights council.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Egypt defends its human rights record during UN review - Politics - Egypt - Ahram Online | url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/355873/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-defends-its-human-rights-record-during-UN-re.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113182834/http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/355873/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt-defends-its-human-rights-record-during-UN-re.aspx | access-date=2025-08-12 | archive-date=2019-11-13}}</ref>

During her time, The National Council for Women together with the World bank Group in Egypt launched the Women's Economic Empowerment Report<ref>{{Cite web | title=Egypt: Women Economic Empowerment Study | url=https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/egypt/publication/egypt-women-economic-empowerment-study | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=www.worldbank.org}}</ref> in 2019.

Morsy Led the development of the [https://ncw.gov.eg/Page/761/الاستراتيجية-الوطنية-لتمكين-المرأة-المصرية-2030/ Egypt’s National Women’s Strategy 2030] launched and endorsed by the President of Egypt in March 2017.

During COVID19 pandemic, Morsy also published Egypt's rapid response to women's situation during COVID19 Outbreak, which is the first policy note globally to be issued on considering women's needs during the pandemic. She also managed to issue 4 editions of the first ever Women Policy Tracker to track & monitor gender sensitive Government responses in Egypt.<ref>{{Cite news |title=WOMEN POLICY TRACKER ON RESPONSIVE POLICIES & PROGRAMS DURING THE NEW COVID-19 PANDEMIC |url=https://ncw.gov.eg/Images/PdfRelease/Third%20Edition%20Women%20policy%20Tra-6202063262824.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=EGYPT'S RAPID RESPONSE ON WOMEN'S SITUATION DURING COVID19 |url=https://ncw.gov.eg/Images/PdfRelease/Egypt%20Women%20and%20COVID-19-62021242223623.pdf}}</ref>

During her time, Egypt took first place among countries within North Africa & Western Asia region to consider women needs during COVID19, according to a global report issued by UNDP and UNWOMEN.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Women's Needs and Gender Equality in Egypt's COVID-19 Response |url=https://egypt.unwomen.org/en/digital-library/publications/2020/04/womens-needs-and-gender-equality-in-egypt-covid19}}</ref>

Together with Minister of International cooperation Rania El-Mashat, and the World Economic Forum Morsy Co led launching "Closing the Gender Gap Accelerator”, which is the first of its kind public-private collaboration model in Africa and the Middle East and North Africa<ref>{{Cite web | title=Egypt's Global Perspective: WECC | url=https://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/679/Egypt-s-Global-Perspective-WECC? | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316144623/http://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/679/Egypt-s-Global-Perspective-WECC | access-date=2025-08-12 | archive-date=2022-03-16}}</ref>

Morsy also led reviving the world bank's model on [https://ncw.gov.eg/Images/PdfRelease/EGES%20Brochure%20-9202125174438824.pdf Egyptian Gender equality seal certification program] for private sector companies<ref>{{Cite web | title=NCW Holds a Ceremony to Honor Egypt's Gender Equality Seal "EGES" - Top 50 Women Forum | url=https://top50women.com/ncw-holds-a-ceremony-to-honor-egypts-gender-equality-seal-eges/ | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=top50women.com | date=21 February 2024 }}</ref>

And concerning the Economic Empowerment of Women, Morsy introduced Financial inclusion mega program in Egypt "National Digital Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs)” programme" <ref>{{Cite web | title=Joint Press Release: The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the National Council for Women, UN Women Egypt, the European Union, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and J-PAL MENA organize a seminar on: "Global Evidence on Digital Financial Services and Savings Groups: Impact on Women's Empowerment" {{!}} UN Women – Egypt | url=https://egypt.unwomen.org/en/stories/press-release/2022/06/global-evidence-on-digital-financial-services-and-savings-groups-impact-on-womens-empowerment | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=egypt.unwomen.org | date=12 June 2022 }}</ref>

Morsy also introduced an assets investment framework for adolescent girls "Noura" & girls empowerment program "Dawwie" which are implemented under the auspices of The First Lady of Egypt<ref>{{Cite web | title=UNFPA and National Council For Women thank Egypt's first lady for sponsoring girl empowerment initiatives - Society - Egypt - Ahram Online | url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/462512.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308220754/https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/462512.aspx | access-date=2025-08-12 | archive-date=2022-03-08}}</ref> and the framework was also launched within the UN CSW67th session in New York.<ref>{{Cite web | title=مايا مرسى تشهد إطلاق مبادرتى "نورة" و"دوى" من قلب الأمم المتحدة بنيويورك - اليوم السابع | url=https://www.youm7.com/story/2023/3/7/مايا-مرسى-تشهد-إطلاق-مبادرتى-نورة-و-دوى-من-قلب/6107032 | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=www.youm7.com | date=7 March 2023 }}</ref> In September 2021 Morsy also led the establishment of UNDP Egypt's Human Development Report 2021: Egypt Pathways and Prospects in her capacity as the rapporteur of its 2021 version.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Egypt Human Development Report 2021 |url=https://www.undp.org/egypt/egypt-human-development-report-2021}}</ref>

Also in 2021, Morsy led publishing a report on the [https://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/493/REPORT-ON-THE-NATIONAL-STRATEGY-TO-ELIMINATE-VIOLENCE-AGAINST-WOMEN National Strategy to Eliminate violence against Women 2015-2020]<ref>{{Cite web | title=REPORT ON THE NATIONAL STRATEGY TO ELIMINATE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 2015-2020 | url=https://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/493/REPORT-ON-THE-NATIONAL-STRATEGY-TO-ELIMINATE-VIOLENCE-AGAINST-WOMEN | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211221110534/http://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/493/REPORT-ON-THE-NATIONAL-STRATEGY-TO-ELIMINATE-VIOLENCE-AGAINST-WOMEN | access-date=2025-08-12 | archive-date=2021-12-21}}</ref>

As lead up to UNFCCC COP27 that was hosted in Egypt's Sharm el-Sheikh in 2022,<ref>{{Cite web | title=Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Change Conference - November 2022 {{!}} UNFCCC | url=https://unfccc.int/cop27#:~:text=UNFCCC%20Nav&text=At%20the%20Sharm%20el%2DSheikh,Sharm%20el%2DSheikh%2C%20Egypt. | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609021858/https://unfccc.int/cop27 | access-date=2025-08-12 | archive-date=2022-06-09}}</ref> Morsy Launched [https://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/679/Egypt-s-Global-Perspective-WECC? Egypt's Global Perspective: Women, Environment, & Climate Change] in New York during the UN Commission on the Status of Women CSW66th session.<ref>{{Cite web | title=NCW presents 'Egypt's Global Perspective: Women, Environment, & Climate Change' on CSW66 - Dailynewsegypt | url=https://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2022/03/16/ncw-presents-egypts-global-perspective-women-environment-climate-change-on-csw66/#:~:text=During%20the%20opening%2C%20Morsy%20presented,their%20Meaningful%20Participation%20in%20environmental | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=www.dailynewsegypt.com | date=16 March 2022 }}</ref>

=== Earlier in her career === In 2014–2015, Morsy served as the United Nations Development Programme's regional gender team leader for the Arab Region.;<ref name="WEF" /> and before that she was UNIFEM's country program manager (2000–2013).

Morsy was earlier a project coordinator for the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) (1999–2000); She was a consultant for the Girls Education and Empowerment Project of the Egyptian Ministry of Education (1998–1999); and as an academic facilitator for the City University of Seattle and the Arab Academy of Science and Technology (1997–1998).

She also worked as a project officer in Egypt in the Sustainable Human Development Platform for Action and Monitoring (1995–1998),

==Honors and awards==

* The First Egyptian Woman to Receive the Award of “Women of the Decade in Public Life and Empowerment”, from the Women Economic Forum India, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Egypt in 2018-SIS | url=https://www.sis.gov.eg/section/10/9415?lang=en-us | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626075818/https://www.sis.gov.eg/section/10/9415?lang=en-us | access-date=2025-08-12 | archive-date=2022-06-26}}</ref> * “50 Most Influential Women Award” Top 50 Most influential women, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web | title=Archived copy | url=https://top50women.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Top-50-members-2016-1.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419202428/https://top50women.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Top-50-members-2016-1.pdf | archive-date=2024-04-19}}</ref> * The Aswan International Women's Film Festival gave the "Noon Award" to Morsy in the field of women’s issues, in appreciation of her efforts to support and empower Egyptian women since assuming her position.<ref>{{Cite web | title=مهرجان أسوان لأفلام المرأة يكرم الدكتورة مايا مرسي بجائزة نوت للإنجاز {{!}} مصراوى | url=https://www.masrawy.com/arts/zoom/details/2021/6/14/2040051/مهرجان-أسوان-لأفلام-المرأة-يكرم-الدكتورة-مايا-مرسي-بجائزة-نوت-للإنجاز | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=www.masrawy.com}}</ref> * “Arab Women Special Award” in the health Sector, by the Arab Ministers of Health in the 47th Ministerial Meeting in the League of Arab States, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web | title=مايا مرسى تحصل على جائزة المرأة العربية المتميزة فى مجال دعم صحة النساء_x000D_ | url=https://m.gomhuriaonline.com/Gomhuria/7785.html | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=m.gomhuriaonline.com | date=27 October 2018 }}</ref> * The first to receive the “Top Achievers Awards" for institutional achievement on women empowerment from Amwal Alghad in 2024.<ref>{{Cite web | title=مايا مرسي تحصل على جائزة الإنجاز المؤسسي لجهودها في تمكين المرأة - الوطن | url=https://www.elwatannews.com/news/details/7367335 | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=www.elwatannews.com | date=4 June 2024 }}</ref>

==Memberships== * Appointed by the President of Egypt to the board of the National Coalition for Civil Development Work, 2024<ref>{{Cite web | title=القومى للمرأة يهنئ الدكتورة مايا مرسى لتعيينها بمجلس أمناء التحالف الوطنى - اليوم السابع | url=https://www.youm7.com/story/2024/6/6/القومى-للمرأة-يهنئ-الدكتورة-مايا-مرسى-لتعيينها-بمجلس-أمناء-التحالف/6601182 | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=www.youm7.com | date=6 June 2024 }}</ref> * Member of the Board of trustees in Egypt's National dialogue between political forces,2022 <ref>{{Cite web | title=Egypt's national dialogue administration announces diverse 19-member board of trustees - Politics - Egypt - Ahram Online | url=https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/470645/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt’s-national-dialogue-administration-announces.aspx | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626212203/https://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContent/1/64/470645/Egypt/Politics-/Egypt%E2%80%99s-national-dialogue-administration-announces.aspx | access-date=2025-08-12 | archive-date=2022-06-26}}</ref> * Member of the Board of Directors of [https://www.cccpa-eg.org/home Cairo International center for conflict resolution, peace keeping and pace building CCCPA] <ref>{{Cite web | title=CCCPA : Board of Directors | url=https://www.cccpa-eg.org/board-of-directors | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803072840/https://www.cccpa-eg.org/board-of-directors | access-date=2025-08-12 | archive-date=2020-08-03}}</ref> * Member of the Board of advisory of [https://www.kemetbbg.org Kemet Boutros Ghaly foundation for peace and knowledge]<ref>{{Cite web | title=Dr / Maya Morsy {{!}} Kemet Boutros Ghali Foundation | url=https://www.kemetbbg.org/members/advisors/maya-morsy.php | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=www.kemetbbg.org}}</ref> * Member in the Egyptian National African Peer Review Mechanism APRM Committee<ref>{{Cite web | title=بالأسماء.. تفاصيل "اللجنة الوطنية" المنبثقة عن "الآلية الإفريقية لمراجعة النظراء" {{!}} مصراوى | url=https://www.masrawy.com/news/news_egypt/details/2018/8/23/1415270/%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A3%D8%B3%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%A1-%D8%AA%D9%81%D8%A7%D8%B5%D9%8A%D9%84-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%86%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%88%D8%B7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%86%D8%A8%D8%AB%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%B9%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A2%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A5%D9%81%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D9%8A%D8%A9-%D9%84%D9%85%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%AC%D8%B9%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%86%D8%B8%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%A1- | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=www.masrawy.com}}</ref> * Former Board Member in [https://itida.gov.eg/English/Pages/default.aspx IT Industry Development Agency Itida] <ref>{{Cite web | title=ITIDA - Dr. Maya Morsy | url=https://itida.gov.eg/English/Pages/TeamMayaMorsy.aspx?TSPD_101_R0=08ecc2ff4bab2000c40dda7b25b72f7773c744155ebd96e8870884b622138618262bdceeb9cbb7e108f109bac6143000873219834976590f4ac0b4b15eadca630b9b093eef65c243e7586191bd0da2abe13167e0e4b8e1d3150a56011e2e49f5 | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=itida.gov.eg}}</ref> * Former Member of the Board of Directors of Banque Misr<ref>{{Cite web | title=صور {{!}} بنك مصر يحتفي بمجلس إدارته السابق تقديرا لمجهوداتهم عن فترة توليهم المسئولية | url=https://www.banker.news/4386 | access-date=2025-08-12 | website=www.banker.news | date=7 October 2020 }}</ref>

==Publications==

* [https://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/872/إرادة-سياسية-شهادة-للتاريخ 10 years commemorative edition Egypts Political will to women's empowerment], 2024 * [https://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/874/حصاد-10-سنوات-المجلس-القومي-للمرأة-2014-2023 10 years of achievement of NCW], 2023 * [https://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/679/Egypt-s-Global-Perspective-WECC? Egypt's Global perspective on Women, Environment and Climate Change], 2022 * [https://www.undp.org/egypt/egypt-human-development-report-2021 UNDP Egypt's Human Development Report: Egypt Pathways and Prospects], 2021 * [https://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/493/REPORT-ON-THE-NATIONAL-STRATEGY-TO-ELIMINATE-VIOLENCE-AGAINST-WOMEN REPORT ON THE NATIONAL STRATEGY TO ELIMINATE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 2-15-2020], 2021 * [https://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/511/Egypt-s-Rapid-Response-on-Women-s-Situation-During-Covid Egypt's Rapid Response on Women's Situation During Covid 19], 2020 * 5 Editions of [https://ncw.gov.eg/Pdf/476/Fifth-Edition-Women-policy-Tracker-on-Responsive-Policies-and-Programs Women and COVID policy tracker], 2020 * [https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/egypt/publication/egypt-women-economic-empowerment-study Women's economic empowerment report], 2019 * [https://ncw.gov.eg/Page/761/الاستراتيجية-الوطنية-لتمكين-المرأة-المصرية-2030/ National Strategy for Women 2030]، 2017

== References == {{reflist}}

==Further reading== *[https://www.enigma-mag.com/maya-morsi/ "Maya Morsi"], ''Enigma'' magazine. {{wikiquote}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morsy, Maya}} Category:1973 births Category:Living people Category:American University in Cairo alumni Category:City University of Seattle alumni Category:21st-century Egyptian women politicians Category:21st-century Egyptian politicians Category:Women government ministers of Egypt Category:Social affairs ministers of Egypt