LocationsFrom thread to opportunity: How silk is creating jobs for women in Egypt
September 3, 2025
In a workshop in Naqada, Upper Egypt, Sumaya Mohamed skillfully threads silk strands through a wooden loom. For her and many others, silk weaving is not only preserving a traditional craft but also providing a steady source of income and new opportunities for women and youth in the community. Each strand she weaves tells a story of resilience, opportunity and a future she never thought possible.
For years, Sumaya struggled to find work. Like many women in her community, options were scarce, and expectations were limiting. That changed when she joined a weaving workshop under the Egypt Network for Integrated Development (ENID), supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
From Thread to Thriving
“At first, I was hesitant,” she recalls. “I had never worked outside my home before. But the moment I touched the loom; I felt a connection to something bigger.”
Through six months of rigorous training, Sumaya mastered the delicate art of “Ferka” weaving. Her dedication quickly set her apart, and she was soon entrusted with leading a team of 20 young women, passing down the craft that had given her a new sense of purpose.
“Before this, I had no way to support my family,” she says. “Now, I can pay for my daughter’s education. I feel proud…independent.”
Silkworms, Sustainability, and a Spanish Spark
Sumaya’s story is part of a bigger effort to create stable jobs and support local communities. Since its launch in 2012, ENID has reached over 100,000 people across Upper Egypt. Now, with support from AECID and UNDP in Egypt, it is working a two-year effort to revitalize Naqada’s silk industry, strengthening the entire silk production process.
At the heart of this effort, the initiative fosters sustainable jobs and environmental stewardship. A 200-fedan mulberry farm, irrigated with treated wastewater, has transformed Naqada’s desert fringe into a silk production hub, reducing environmental impact while expanding economic opportunities. Over 60% of operations run on solar energy, with Spain’s expertise in renewable energy.
ENID’s activities includes building technical skills in silkworm breeding, cocoon production, and silk weaving. A new manufacturing unit, set to open by August 2025, will serve as a training and production hub, helping artisans learn both traditional methods and modern techniques. Meanwhile, over 40 looms are in use at temporary training sites, and the project has already exceeded expectations, training 138 women in silk weaving and carpet production.
A Craft Revived, A Future Rewoven or Reviving a Craft, Building a Future
The ENID Sericulture Value Chain Project is creating a sustainable model for development—preserving traditional skills, empowering women, and fostering a future where craftsmanship and opportunity go hand in hand.
For Sumaya and many others, weaving silk is more than a craft; it is a pathway to a better livelihood and a stronger future for their families and communities. Through the UNDP-Spain partnership, what was once a fading tradition is now a thriving force of change and a growing source of income and stability.
