WHO Honours Actress Sawsan Badr

The World Health Organization (WHO) has hosted revered actress Sawsan Badr at the organization’s Nasr City office to honor her for receiving the award for best performer at the Cairo International Film Festival for her role in the title “Al Shawq” (“The Yearning”). The visit took place as part of the activities of the organization “Life without Smoking” which is holding a seminar titled “The Effects of Art and Media on Societal Issues”.Sawsan has expressed her pleasure in taking part in the seminar which seeks to bring the public’s attention to the dangers of smoking. Moreover Sawsan has also expressed her delight at being honored by the WHO and stated: “I thank the WHO for their invitation to attend the enlightening seminar, I have sensed the sincerity of all those present which is something that has added to my happiness at this occasion. Moreover I hope that the law which would forbid the presentation of scenes that involve smoking in cinema or drama works will be ratified and that penalties for violation would be severe. Such a measure would allow us to contribute to the reduction of the number of smokers in Egypt.”Sawsan further adds: “I wish to participate myself in seminars to raise awareness in schools and universities which should take the form of open discussions that seek to include youths without presenting direct advice that could alienate them.”Thereafter the head of the WHO in Cairo, along with performer Hanan Tourk who is on the board of directors of “Life without Smoking” honored the artist by awarding her a ceremonial plate.The seminar was attended by a host of other artists including Dr. Ashraf Zaky, Mohamed Al Shaqanqary, Ehab Fahmy, screenwriters Maryam Na’oum and Mohmed Al Ghaitty, producer Khaled Helmy, retired footballer Nader Al Sayyid and Mostafa Housny.