JANUARY 2018

LOW PAY... FINANCIAL LITERACY
AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES
ARE JUST A FEW OF THE
FORMS OF DISCRIMINATION
AFFECTING WOMEN.
From childhood to adulthood, both genders are
taught the skills they need for working life, as well
as a vision of gender equality as the foundation for
sustainable human development.
From primary school upwards, discrimination is
ironed out, and messages of respect and equality
are ingrained.
Sekem’s vocational school is a unique
educational establishment in Egypt. It provides
inclusive, quality education and skills development
for future employment, and gives schoolgirls an
equal right to learn diverse vocations that were
previously labelled as male-only.
Professions such as mechanics, plumbing,
carpentry, agriculture, electronic technology and
welding are among those now being adopted by
girls, whereas in the past they tended to choose
textiles or administration partly for fear of breaking
societal norms.
Two Sekem girls are now apprentice carpenters;
four are studying to become electricians and, for the
first time, Sekem’s head of electronic technology is
female. Vocational classes also extend to girls in
neighbouring communities so they can learn under
the tutelage of experienced professionals.
For adults, ongoing
technical and vocational
education plays a pivotal
role in teaching lifechanging
skills to both
genders. Courses on
farming techniques,
sustainable development
training, supply chain
management, financial
literacy and money
management are also
held, as well as gender
awareness training.
Konstanze Abouleish,
commercial manager for
Nature Tex – an organic textile company which is
part of Sekem – explains that “awareness days”
give men and women an equal opportunity to voice
discomfort and help develop collaboration.
The children’s nursery, built in 2013, frees up
local women to study, work and earn their income
without having to worry about childcare. At the top
end of the educational tree is Heliopolis University.
Graduates have included female physicians who
have gone on to run Sekem’s pharmacy and health
clinic, which provide affordable services to more
than 41,000 people.
My last day in Egypt was spent celebrating
Sekem’s 39th anniversary where men, women,
boys and girls share sentiments about equality
and respect. I am struck by how innovatively this
co-operative has used impact investing to build an
education system that addresses gender inequality
at its roots, at the same time developing a network
of sustainable work and economic growth for
previously disadvantaged farming communities.
Yet I am also reminded of how much more
the investment community might need to do if we
are all to achieve the global goals 13 short years
from now.
JANUARY 2018 | 21