Nadia Gamal El Din has been named as the Middle East and North Africa laureate of the 2020 edition of Cartier Women's Initiative. The Egyptian Founder and amp; CEO of Rahet Bally is one of the seven laureates from around the world making a positive change in the world. With up to 20 percent of new mothers experiencing postpartum or perinatal depression, her all-inclusive platform supports Egyptian ones financially, physically, emotionally and intellectually, whether online or in person.
El Din’s name was announced virtually, along with the other laureates and finalists, on the Cartier and the Cartier Women’s Initiative’s website and social media channels. However, there will be a proper celebratory ceremony in Boston on May 26, 2021, a date that coincides with the 15th anniversary of the initiative.
“As an international luxury Maison, we are global citizens, aware of and listening to the wider world. More than ever, we remain committed to use our voice and actively support those who are trying to make the world a better place, which is the case of these outstanding women entrepreneurs,”Cyrille Vigneron, President and CEO of Cartier International, said.“It has been incredibly inspiring to witness their determination, resilience and creativity. We are immensely proud of their work, and thankful for their global contribution to our society.”
About Rahet Bally
Like many other women, Nadia Gamal El Din felt lost, isolated and in need of support and advice after giving birth to a son in August 2014. She had so many important questions about the physical, psychological, emotional and mental transformations that come with having a baby. When she couldn’t find any community groups or online resources for new mums, she decided she needed “to put an end to this situation,” she explains on the Cartier Women’s Inititiative website. El Din, who worked as a Brand Manager at P&G before having her child, started a Facebook page, inviting professionals, including psychologists, nutritionists and paediatricians to promptly answer hashtagged questions. Over 100 professionals and 3,000 mums were using the platform called Rahet Bally, which means “peace of mind,” within a month.
As of early 2020, over 150,000 women in Egypt have been connected to Rahet Bally’s services, which include financial, physical, intellectual and social support. The company’s discount card helps offset the costs of essential baby items such as clothes, nappies and healthcare, which can be expensive. When it comes to physical support, Rahet Bally offers fitness and nutrition programnes in three Cairo-based facilities. Additionally, its online community provides the information women need to become confident mothers. “Mums need a lot of knowledge, from conception through when their kids are teenagers. We offer the first and only information platform in Arabic and English in Egypt,” El Din adds.
Rahet Bally’s newest offering, the Cloud, is a physical space where mothers can rest in napping pods or do some work in work pods. They can also attend workshops, socialise and join book clubs while vetted babysitters care for their children. “It’s beautiful,” El Din also says on the website. “Mums start crying when they come in because it’s the first time anyone is taking care of them. They can have a shower. They can drink a cup of coffee while it’s still hot. It’s a place where they can actually breathe again.”
