Ambassador Anne Patterson Inaugurates U.S.-Supported Vocational Training Program for Young Women

U.S. Ambassador to Egypt Anne W. Patterson launched today a vocational training program for women through the Pink Cotton project in El Siouf, Alexandria.  Pink Cotton, a project supported by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will provide job skills and literacy training for female employees.  The project officially launched today in celebration of International Women’s Day.

“Trained young women will contribute income to their families and help drive opportunity in their neighborhoods and Egypt,” remarked Ambassador Patterson.  “As U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has often commented, the education and empowerment of women and girls provides a lasting benefit – economically, socially and politically – to whole societies.”

The Pink Cotton training program aims to provide job-skills training for 100 women in apparel manufacturing.  In addition, the company plans to partner with other manufacturers to expand training to their employees in the apparel industry.  A literacy training program will also be offered to the women.