Head of Egypt's National Council for Women, Mervat al-Talawy, said on Saturday that the council established an institution called 'Friends of the National Council for Women' to create small projects and open literacy classes.

The institution will open its membership unconditionally to all Egyptians, men and women who believe in development and women rights.

Nearly 27 percent of Egypt's 85 million citizens are illiterate, the female illiteracy rate is even worse -- some 20 percent higher than among males, particularly in the 15 to 35 age group, according to a report issued by the government's Information and Decision Support Centre.

The former Minister of Social Affairs said that the institution will provide rural and urban pioneer women with training courses as they are an important segment of civil society.

Talawy added that the institution will provide financial and in-kind assistance for the poor and create a library for women.

She emphasized that the institution aims at communicating with women who participate in the process of development and those who will benefit from the activities of the institution.

The National Council for Women had received approval from the Ministry of Insurance and Social Affairs on the establishment of the institution in December.