Conference on Women’s Health and the “Age of Hope” Opens at Giza Palace, Bringing Together Leading Physicians and Prominent Public Figures
The Giza Palace Hall in Sheikh Zayed City hosted an extensive medical and awareness conference at 9:00 p.m. on Friday, October 30, 2026, focusing on women’s health after menopause.
The event opened with an inspiring address by Dr. Hossam Badrawi, who spoke about the greatness of women and emphasized that this stage of life should be seen as the beginning of a happy new chapter, with another 30 or 40 years of life ahead. He also stressed that women are a fundamental source of happiness.
The conference, organized through the efforts of Dr. Omaima Idris, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kasr Al-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Rasha Kamel, Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynecology, featured a series of rich panel discussions bringing together distinguished physicians and experts. Their key contributions included the following:
Dr. Hossam Badrawi on the Women’s Leadership and Medical Excellence of His Colleagues
Dr. Hossam Badrawi described Dr. Omaima Idris as a source of pride for women’s leadership in science. He noted that her leadership of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology during his tenure as its head marked a major turning point, ushering in a new era of modernization, the inauguration of new specialized units, and the development of its operations and programs.
He also highlighted her influential role in establishing Rowida Hospital, which has become a prominent example of a private healthcare institution in Egypt that recognizes and embraces its social responsibility.
From her early days as a resident physician working alongside Dr. Badrawi, through her leadership of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department and her subsequent pioneering achievements, Dr. Omaima—and Rowida Hospital, which she established with her sister—stand as a source of pride for Egyptian women.
Dr. Badrawi also described Dr. Rasha Kamel as a continuation of this legacy: a new source of energy and hope, carrying forward the efforts of those who came before her. He sees in her the talent, excellence, and promise of the younger generation of Kasr Al-Ainy.
Dr. Mohamed Momtaz: A Pioneer in Fetal Medicine
Dr. Mohamed Momtaz, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kasr Al-Ainy Faculty of Medicine, was described by Dr. Badrawi as one of the department’s most distinguished leaders, a pioneer in fetal medicine, and the founder of its specialized unit, which he helped establish and sustain.
Dr. Badrawi also praised his leadership of the Obstetrics and Gynecology Society, noting that it is opening new horizons for cooperation among obstetrics and gynecology departments and specialists throughout Egypt.
Dr. Mohamed Momtaz delivered an important lecture on Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). He stressed the critical importance of undergoing a mammogram before starting any hormone therapy, as well as having regular annual breast-density assessments to ensure safety and minimize potential risks.
Dr. Dina Rashid Bahgat: Genetic Testing and Hereditary Risk
Dr. Dina Rashid Bahgat, whom Dr. Badrawi described as the daughter of his former professor and role model, Professor Mohamed Rashid Bahgat of Clinical Pathology at Kasr Al-Ainy, discussed the importance of genetic testing, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, to identify inherited susceptibility to breast cancer and other cancers before making a decision to begin hormone therapy.
Dr. Ola: Protecting Bone and Muscle Health
Dr. Ola, Consultant and Professor of Rheumatology and Physical Medicine, drew attention to the rapid risk of osteoporosis after menopause. She explained that women may lose approximately 20% of their bone mass during the first year following menopause.
She recommended adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes walking outdoors, getting adequate sunlight, and performing resistance exercises to preserve muscle mass and prevent muscle fibers from being replaced by fat cells.
Dr. Sherif Abdel Fattah: Breaking the Silence
Dr. Sherif Abdel Fattah, Professor and Vice President of the Royal College in London, praised the concept behind the conference. He emphasized the importance of breaking the silence surrounding menopause, stressing that women should not have to suffer silently during this stage of life.
Dr. Hend El-Maamoun: A Comprehensive Lifestyle Approach
Dr. Hend El-Maamoun spoke about the importance of adopting a comprehensive lifestyle to support women’s health. Her recommendations included intermittent fasting and paying particular attention to dietary fiber as an essential component of a healthy approach to treatment.
Dr. Amr El-Nouri: An Example of Academic Integrity and Professional Excellence
The conference also welcomed Dr. Amr El-Nouri, Professor at Kasr Al-Ainy, as one of the distinguished medical figures participating in the event.
Drawing on his experience working in the United Kingdom, as well as his scientific integrity and professional competence, Dr. Badrawi described him as an exemplary model of what a university professor should be.
International and Media Participation to Break the “Silence Barrier”
The conference also benefited from active international and media participation, all aimed at breaking the social silence surrounding menopause.
Dr. Jenny from the United Kingdom was among the invited speakers. She discussed the positive cultural shift in Western societies, where actresses, celebrities, and other public figures have increasingly begun speaking openly and proudly about menopause, helping to break the social stigma associated with it.
The session also welcomed two prominent media personalities as honorary guests: Mona Abdel Ghani and Soheir Gouda.
Mona Abdel Ghani delivered a powerful message, calling for the rejection of the term “Age of Despair” (Sin Al-Ya’s) and its replacement with “Age of Hope” (Sin Al-Amal), as advocated by Dr. Hossam Badrawi.
Meanwhile, the distinguished broadcaster Soheir Gouda emphasized that chronological age has little significance compared with “health age”—the true measure that every woman should focus on when considering her well-being and quality of life.
A New Beginning Filled with Health and Vitality
The conference concluded by emphasizing the importance of psychological and family support, alongside the need to transform prevailing social attitudes toward menopause.
Rather than viewing this stage as an ending, society should recognize it as the beginning of a new chapter—one filled with health, vitality, activity, and renewed possibilities.
