The British Embassy in Cairo and the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA) have signed on Sunday a code of ethics – developed by Egypt's Top 50 Women Forum and the National Council for Women (NCW). The code of ethics aims to combat harassment in the workplace so as to ensure that women are safe and respected at work, as elsewhere. At the British embassy to Egypt, the signing ceremony took place in the presence of Sir Geoffrey Adams, UK Ambassador to Egypt; Khaled Nosseir, chairman of the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA); and Dina Abdel Fattah, Founder and chairperson of the Top 50 Women Forum. Sir Geoffrey Adams, UK Ambassador to Egypt; Khaled Nosseir, chairman of the British Egyptian Business Association (BEBA); and Dina Abdel Fattah – President of the Top 50 Women Forum, sign the code of ethics for combating sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women in the workplace at the British embassy to Egypt on Sunday, June 27, 2021. "It is a great honour for the British Embassy to support the code of ethics for combating sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women in the workplace – and indeed, to sign up ourselves." Sir Ambassador Geoffrey Adams, said. "There should be zero tolerance for harassment, and I am particularly proud that BEBA is keen to promote this agenda amongst British businesses in Egypt. One of the UK's key priorities is women's empowerment and creating a safe environment for women to thrive, both within work and outside it." "The National Council for Women and the Top 50 Women Forum have shown really encouraging leadership on this issue, and I look forward to other companies in the private sector following suit and joining this excellent initiative." Meanwhile, Khaled Nosseir, Chairman of the British Egyptian Business Association, said: "BEBA is honoured to be one of the first associations adopting the code of ethics for combating sexual harassment and all forms of violence against women in the workplace. We believe it is a matter of great importance for the continued development of the Egyptian work environment. "I would like to congratulate the Top 50 Forum and the National Council for Women for their great efforts in developing this Code of Ethics. Also I would like to thank the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development and the Financial Regulatory Authority for supporting and endorsing this cause and encouraging all institutions to adopt policies, raise awareness, and set mechanisms and channels to create an environment with zero tolerance for harassment." Signing the code of ethics is just a beginning of efforts to bring it into effect across all the workplaces in Egypt built on UK investments in the country, said Dina Abdel Fattah. Founded in 2015, Top 50 Women Forum is the biggest female technocrat platform in Egypt, aimed at advocating women's social, political, and economic empowerment.
