Cairo, April 2nd, 2026
The Egyptian Center for Women’s Rights (ECWR) has been closely monitoring recent reports regarding a decree issued by the Minister of Labor, which prohibits Egyptian women from traveling abroad to work in several sectors under the pretext of protecting them from exploitation and abuse.
While ECWR reaffirms its full support for any initiative aimed at safeguarding women and ensuring their dignity and safety, ECWR maintains that true protection is achieved through effective regulation and the creation of a secure work environment—not through prohibition. Protection must guarantee legal rights and safety measures rather than restricting movement.
ECWR warns that while a ban may stem from a place of concern, it fails to address the root causes of the problem. In fact, it often yields counterproductive results, including:
- Increased Vulnerability: Pushing women toward informal or illegal migration routes, thereby increasing the risk of exploitation.
- Unregulated Intermediaries: Empowering unlicensed brokers and human traffickers.
- Violation of Rights: Infringing upon the fundamental human right to freedom of movement and the right to work.
Nehad AboelKomsan, Chairwoman of ECWR, asserts that the State possesses the necessary tools to achieve protection without resorting to bans. ECWR proposes the following measures:
- Contract Regulation: Ensuring all employment contracts are documented and verified prior to travel to guarantee clear rights and obligations.
- Strict Oversight: Tightening monitoring of recruitment agencies and intermediaries, while holding violators strictly accountable.
- Diplomatic Engagement: Activating the role of embassies and diplomatic missions to monitor the conditions of women workers and intervene when necessary.
- Grievance Mechanisms: Establishing effective channels for filing complaints and ensuring the recovery of rights.
- Criminalizing Abuse: Explicitly criminalizing practices that undermine dignity, such as the confiscation of passports or the imposition of illegal restrictions.
“Protecting women is not achieved by restricting their movement or limiting their economic opportunities,” says Nehad AboelKomsan. “Empowerment comes from creating a safe and fair environment. The protection of women workers is not found in preventing them from working, but in preventing their exploitation while they work.”
