The 2011 Egyptian revolution was a turning point for many across the nation, including the women of Aswan, a city over 1,000 kilometres south of Cairo. Amany Maamoun, reflecting on the catalyst for Ganobia Hora, explains: “One of our friends was beaten while trying to protest in Aswan. This incident pushed us to create Ganobia Hora, aiming to raise awareness and promote respect for women.”
In Egypt, women face numerous challenges. The 2021 Egypt Family Health Survey reveals that female genital mutilation (FGM) affects 84 percent of women aged 15 to 49, with the prevalence in Upper Egypt rising to 91.5 percent. In such a conservative and tribal society, Maamoun, who grew up in a leftist family valuing freedom and equality, was well-positioned to co-found this initiative with eight other members. Ganobia Hora began its work by addressing bodily rights, especially the pervasive issue of sexual harassment.
Amany Maamoun
“One of our friends was beaten while trying to protest in Aswan.”
Aswan awoke to graffiti sending a clear message: respect women, don’t interfere with their clothing choices, and keep your hands to yourself. This bold step was followed by interactive theatre on harassment and training sessions introducing gender concepts, laying the groundwork for deeper awareness.
As Ganobia Hora gained momentum, its focus broadened to include environmental issues. The group implemented projects addressing climate change’s unique challenges in southern Egypt, independently of Cairo-based institutions. In 2022, Ganobia Hora took the global stage at the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27) in 2022, highlighting how climate change disproportionately affects women in Aswan.
Aswan is particularly vulnerable to climate change. Known for its extreme heat, the city faced record-high temperatures of 49 degrees Celsius in June 2024. With limited infrastructure, these deadly conditions disproportionately impact the most vulnerable, especially women. According to Ayat Osman, Executive Director and co-founding member of Ganobia Hora in charge of climate change and environmental affairs, “extreme heat reduces women’s ability to work, leading to diminished income. Many suffer from heatstroke and exhaustion, making it difficult to work during midday hours.”
Rising temperatures have severely impacted the economic situation of women in Aswan. The once-thriving winter tourist season, which provided substantial income for local women, has shortened significantly due to the increased heat. Female agricultural workers also find it increasingly difficult to work during the hottest parts of the day, leading to a reduction in their workforce participation.
Climate change also exacerbates water scarcity. Contrary to popular belief, Aswan, despite its proximity to the Nile, faces a severe decline in the availability of clean drinking water. In addition to the immediate economic consequences, the responsibility of securing water often falls on women, particularly in villages with inadequate sanitation systems. “The water supply is sometimes cut off for up to 12 consecutive hours, forcing women to carry heavy containers over long distances,” Osman notes. This burden, coupled with the psychological strain from unmet reproductive health needs, underscores the intersection of gender and environmental justice that Ganobia Hora seeks to address.
Ayat Osman
“The water supply is sometimes cut off for up to 12 consecutive hours, forcing women to carry heavy containers over long distances.”
The 2023 United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) study, Assessing the Impact of Climate Change on Women and Girls’ Reproductive Health in Egypt, emphasises that rising temperatures worsen maternal and newborn health outcomes and contribute to the spread of diseases such as hemorrhagic fever and cholera. Additionally, water shortage directly impacts women’s physical and reproductive health, particularly during menstrual cycles. Disruptions in access to natural resources can trigger violence, while extreme weather events can interrupt reproductive health services, leading to unmet needs, unintended pregnancies, and maternal mortality. Furthermore, the lack of psychological support for young mothers and inadequate post-abortion care can result in severe health issues.
Moreover, environmental displacement is becoming a pressing issue. Osman explains that Lake Nasser, one of the world’s largest artificial lakes, contributes to high water evaporation, leading to floods and heavy rains that Aswan is ill-prepared to handle. In 2022, severe floods in Aswan damaged infrastructure and homes, leading to increased internal displacement, further straining resources and exacerbating the challenges faced by women in these communities.
Ganobia Hora‘s work represents a holistic approach to ecofeminism, addressing the interconnectedness of women’s rights and environmental sustainability. The organisation has launched campaigns advocating for state-level precautionary measures against climate-induced disasters like floods and promoting safe, clean sanitation in vulnerable communities.
At COP27, Ganobia Hora presented solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change in Aswan, such as reducing evaporation from Lake Nasser and establishing an emergency committee to respond to floods. These efforts embody the principles of ecofeminism, demanding a healthy environment for all and recognising that women are disproportionately affected by ecological changes.
They also launched an online campaign explaining climate change in the context of Aswan and profiling a number of women such as climate activists, journalists and photographs who work on shedding light and addressing climate change impact in Egypt, particularly in Aswan.
Ganobia Hora faced many challenges operating in a politically and socially restrictive environment. “Our initial challenges were internal, stemming from the diverse backgrounds and visions of our founding group. Yet, my team and I persisted, grounded in our political mission,” recounts Maamoun. As the initiative progressed, challenges grew. Ensuring their safety was essential, as they were frequently stigmatised for dealing with topics that are sensitive in upper Egypt.
For example, Ganobia Hora concentrated on raising awareness about female genital mutilation (FGM) in border areas, where the practice has deep roots. After the 2011 revolution, “anti-FGM efforts became associated with Suzanne Mubarak, the wife of the ousted President Hosni Mubarak, which led to political and religious polarisation,” which unfortunately “set back our progress on FGM to pre-2008 levels.”
Ganobia Hora conducted numerous training sessions and workshops to educate women about FGM, including specialised sessions on the practice and a digital session on reconstructive surgery to provide greater understanding of its severe health and psychological impacts.
Neama Monzaly is one of the beneficiaries of Ganobia Hora training programmes, who hails from a community laden with taboos. “I come from a tribal society where topics like sexual and reproductive health are stigmatised. Speaking about these issues invites shame. However, the scientific knowledge I gained from the training equips me to engage in discussions and present topics academically, making a real difference for me and my group.” Monzaly went on to co-found her own initiative, Genderist, an online southern feminist magazine focusing on women’s rights and affairs.
Ganobia Hora continues to train young women in environmental advocacy. They are equipping the next generation of ecofeminists with the knowledge and skills needed to fight for a future where equality and justice prevail—both in terms of gender and climate.
Neama Monzaly
“I come from a tribal society where topics like sexual and reproductive health are stigmatised.”
Their work also extends to women displaced by the war in Sudan. “We have provided essential health supplies, such as sanitary pads and contraceptives, to women fleeing the war in Sudan,” says Maamoun. The initiative also launched the Urgent Escape campaign to document the suffering of survivors. “Our role shifted significantly after seeing their needs. We discovered that many of these women were subjected to clear sexual exploitation, either directly or through deceptive marriages.”
Maamoun, who identifies as a black feminist, sees great similarities between Egypt and Sudan. “Borders and political divisions are the only things that separate the two countries.”
As the impacts of climate change intensify, Ganobia Hora’s work in Aswan becomes increasingly vital. “I hope that Upper Egypt will see more initiatives like Ganobia Hora, dismantling marginalisation, discrimination, and centralisation,” says Maamoun.
By focusing on the intersection of gender and environmental justice, Maamoun sees their role extend to the rest of the Nile Basin, as they pave the way for a more equitable future. Their journey from a local initiative to an international advocate underscores the critical role of grassroots movements in driving global change.
This article is part of The Niles Issue #19, The Feminine & The Nile, produced by Media in Cooperation and Transition (MiCT) with financial support from the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI). It is part of the initiative The Niles: Strengthening Media Capacities and Networks in the Nile Basin, supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office (AA). The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of SIWI, GIZ, the German Federal Foreign Office, or MiCT.
