Following the launch of its first edition, What Women Want… Magazine will return to Downtown Cairo in December 2025 for the second edition of its 16 Days of Activism Community Festival, continuing its annual partnership with Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment.
Anchored in this year’s global theme, “Unite to Fight Online Violence Against Women and Girls,” the 2025 edition builds on the community-centered spirit of the inaugural festival, which wove art, talks, and performances into the everyday life of the district. The festival brings together a diverse community committed to raising awareness around digital violence, while amplifying the voices and stories of survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Across Al Ismaelia’s historic Downtown Cairo venues, including Cinema Radio, the Factory, and the Warehouse, the festival will continue to activate the district as an open, participatory environment shaped by dialogue, presence, and care.
“From the beginning, these buildings were intended to hold people and conversation, and we see it as our responsibility to protect that role over time. Supporting the return of this festival is about allowing dialogue to unfold with care and continuity, and giving community-led voices the space they need within the city,” said Karim Shafei, Chairman and CEO of Al Ismaelia for Real Estate Investment.
As it returns for a second year, the festival reinforces Al Ismaelia’s broader objective of keeping Downtown Cairo socially active and inclusive. By supporting initiatives rooted in community-based activism, Al Ismaelia continues to position the district as a place where culture, dialogue, and shared responsibility intersect.
The second edition also signals a longer-term commitment to sustaining this conversation, ensuring that Downtown Cairo remains a space where important social issues can be addressed through culture, care, and collective presence.