VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHEG #0433 0461553
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 151553Z FEB 07
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 3626
UNCLAS CAIRO 000433
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR NEA/ELA, G/IWI
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWMN PHUM PREL KPAO EG
SUBJECT: EMBASSY CAIRO'S NOMINATION: THE SECRETARY'S AWARD
FOR INTERNATIONAL WOMEN OF COURAGE
REF: STATE 12871
1. (U) Per reftel, Embassy Cairo nominates Ambassador
Moushira Khattab, President of the National Council for
Motherhood and Childhood (NCCM), for the Secretary's Award
for International Women of Courage. Ambassador Khattab is
one of Egypt's most outspoken and inspirational leaders
lobbying for the rights of women and children. As the head
of the NCCM, she not only has considerable influence with
policy makers, but also commands admiration and respect from
grassroots women activists for her leadership, commitment,
vision, and courage.
2. (U) Since the beginning of her tenure as
Secretary-General of the NCCM in 1999, Ambassador Khattab set
SIPDIS
an agenda of progressive reform in Egyptian family law.
Combating the widespread practice of female genital
mutilation (FGM) both at the grassroots level and with policy
makers is one of her top priorities. NCCM also focuses on
greater access to education for girls. Ambassador Khattab is
the primary author of a national plan of action on girls'
education, and NCCM works closely with NGO's to ensure that
future generations of Egyptian women receive the skill sets
they need to succeed. Finally, she is leading a fight
against child labor and protecting the rights of often
neglected street children.
3. (U) Ambassador Khattab's work is remarkable and
courageous because she tackles sensitive and often taboo
subjects. As a close associate of First Lady Suzanne
Mubarak, she is able to effectively influence policy making,
while clearly maintaining the trust and confidence of
grassroots organizations. She not only leads the fight for
positive reform of Egyptian society, but does so in such a
unique and far reaching way that she is worthy of receiving
the Secretary's Award for International Women of Courage.
4. (U) The officer covering Women's Issues in Cairo is
Kimberly Harrington: harringtonkd@state.gov.
RICCIARDONE