For as long as I can remember, I dreamed of taking part in an international women’s conference. That dream became a reality in 1995 when, while overseeing the Women’s Development Program at UNICEF Egypt, I had the privilege of attending the 4th International Women’s Conference in Beijing. I had a choice: join as a member of the UN delegation or as part of the Arab women’s movement. Without hesitation, I chose the latter.
Women across the Arab world had been preparing for over a year, working closely with their official delegations and organising a rich two-week agenda of activities in the Arab tent. This tent became the beating heart of our movement, a vibrant space where discussions, cultural presentations, and strategic negotiations took place. Alongside hundreds of Arab feminists and civil society organisations, I lobbied and advocated for a document that would guarantee women’s human rights.
It was in Beijing that we heard the unforgettable words of Hillary Clinton: “Women’s rights are human rights.” That moment resonated deeply, fueling our determination. When the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) was adopted, it marked a groundbreaking shift for women in the Arab region. The BPfA provided a foundation to transform gender power relations and advance the rights of women and girls. UN Women later described it as the most progressive blueprint ever created for women’s rights. Since then, several international commitments on gender equality have been made in the Arab region, building upon both the BPfA and the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).
My mother, a well-known feminist in the region, played a significant role in this milestone. Her NGO was chosen by the UN to co-coordinate the participation of Arab women in China, and she was both a member of Egypt’s official delegation and a co-organiser of the Arab tent. I was also accompanied by my 12-year-old son, who later reflected on how the experience shaped his understanding of gender inequality:
The women’s conference in China made me realise why both my mother and my grandmother dedicate their lives to working with disadvantaged women. Growing up, I went to school with boys and girls and never saw a difference in our rights. We studied, played, and socialized together. But at the China conference, I understood that not all girls and women share the same privileges. Millions of women and girls need support, and we need to listen to their struggles.
After returning from Beijing, I was determined to turn the momentum into action. While leading the gender program at UNICEF, I designed and implemented a large-scale project focused on the BPfA’s implementation in Egypt. Over five years, 100 feminist NGOs from six governorates worked on six key areas of the BPfA, partnering with local authorities to identify challenges and develop solutions.
Following my time at UNICEF, I was asked to establish and lead Egypt’s first Gender Equality Ombudsman Office. This office became a lifeline for thousands of women who faced discrimination. We received tens of thousands of complaints and successfully resolved the majority, ensuring women had a voice and access to justice.
My commitment to feminist activism has only grown stronger over the years. I have joined numerous national, regional, and international feminist organisations, networks, and movements. Since 2019, I have been the founder and co-convener of the Arab States CSOs & Feminists Network – a coalition of 77 civil society organizations across 13 Arab countries. Our work spans critical issues, including women, peace and security, economic justice, gender-based violence, and the impact of climate change on women in the Arab region.
Looking back, the 1995 Conference was not just a milestone in my personal journey—it was a defining moment for the Arab women’s movement. The fight for women’s rights continues, but Beijing was a turning point that proved the power of collective action. We are still building on that legacy, ensuring that the promise of gender equality becomes a reality for future generations.
Dr. Fatemah Khafagy, a PhD holder in Development Planning from the University of London, is a leading advocate for gender equality. She led UNICEF Egypt’s gender programme for 15 years and established the country’s first Gender Equality Ombuds Office. A founder and member of several feminist networks, she co-convenes the Arab States CSOs & Feminist Network and has served on the Generation Equality Forum’s advisory group. Currently, she is a Gender Equality and Inclusion consultant for the British Council. In 2024, she was elected to the MENA Regional Coordinating Team of the Women Gender Climate Constituency, where she advances feminist climate justice.
