Wafaa Amin’s dream was to help women get ahead through skills training, and to confront human rights abuses like female genital mutilation (FGM] that many women and girls face in life. 

“FGM is a big problem in my village, and my goal is to create agents of change,” says Wafaa.

Nearly nine-in-ten women and girls aged 15 to 49 have endured FGM in Egypt, and the UNFPA Social Innovation Incubator supports female entrepreneurs like Wafaa to bring their business ideas to life, while tackling harmful practices in their communities. 

Wafaa was one of seven social entrepreneurs selected for support in Egypt in 2022, receiving seed-funding, guidance and support for her Sohag Governorate startup that trains women and girls in handicrafts and embroidery to sell, and brings them together to share information. 

“After watching a film (on the risks and damage of FGM), I ask the women if this is something that has happened to them personally, and how it has impacted them. I often ask them if this is how we want to treat our daughters, and if we want them to go through all this,” Wafaa says.  

Wafaa has trained more than 115 women and girls since the programme’s launch in 2022, and participants have sewn messages condeming FGM into products they sell at special exhibitions.

“I make sure to invite community and religious leaders to our exhibitions so they can back up what we are saying about the risks from  FGM,” Wafaa explains. 

Powering change

Working with the Life Makers Foundation, youth and civil society networks and development partners, the Social Innovation Incubator provides a mentorship programme for entrepreneurs across Egypt, and links them to opportunities to grow and sustain their businesses over time, with the support of the Royal Norwegian Embassy. 

“At UNFPA, we know that innovation is key to unlocking an Arab world of opportunity, and it is good if women and girls can drive innovation that serves and empowers them. Having women in the driver's seat provides better solutions that cater to their needs and  therefore would shape a better world for everyone,” says Frederika Meijer, UNFPA Representative in Egypt.  

Egypt and the wider Arab region is brimming with innovation. The region has a vibrant start-up scene, with one in three startups led or founded by women. A growing innovation ecosystem is delivering social impact and changing lives for the better, and with a young, vibrant and growing population, the opportunities for creative progress are huge. 

“By empowering women and girls, unleashing the potential of youth, harnessing creativity to boost reproductive health, rights and choices, and leveraging knowledge and data, our innovation portfolios are helping to propel progress in building peaceful and prosperous societies across the region,” notes Laila Baker, UNFPA Regional Director for the Arab States.

In Egypt, the UNFPA Social Innovation Incubator is moving from strength to strength, growing its network to boost the skills, rights and futures for women and girls. Wafaa Amin is reaching out to new horizons, aiming to reach 2000 women and girls in the coming years. 

“I want to expand and open branches in other governorates,” Wafaa explains. “But mostly, I want to protect girls from FGM.”