DW Akademie in Egypt

Over the past years, press freedom in Egypt has diminished dramatically. Government propaganda, attacks on dissidents and activists who speak out for democracy and civil rights, and direct reprisals characterize the situation in the country today. Time and again journalists are arrested and put on trial because of their work. According to the independent non-profit organization Committee to Protect Journalists, in 2015 only China imprisoned more journalists (49) than Egypt (23). There are virtually no media organizations left in Egypt that dare to report critically on government affairs, and civil society actors are also being routinely prevented from carrying out their work. Numerous Egyptian organizations accused of illegally accepting foreign funds have been prosecuted or closed down. Prominent human rights activists are being prevented from leaving the country. Those most affected believe that the government wants to systematically dismantle what's left of Egypt's independent civil society.

Our Activities In this difficult environment, DW Akademie's projects in Egypt focus on empowering young women in and through the media. The long-term project "Women's Voices" supports female journalism students and young women entering the profession as they develop their own media projects in preparation for the start of their journalism careers.

Funding sources: German Foreign Office (AA), German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)

Country coordinator: Jens-Uwe Rahe

Operational locations: Alexandria, Port Said, Cairo, Assiut, Assuan

Local partners: Assiut University, Department of Information and Mass Media, Cairo University, Faculty of Mass Communication

Focus: Capacity building, Women's participation