In Egypt, tens of thousands of women are sent to prison every year. Not for committing an actual crime but for defaulting on loans. They're referred to as 'Al Gharemaat,' and the debts they can't repay are usually small, no more than a few hundred dollars.
Breakchains with Blockchain was created to buy women's freedom by selling NFTs. Each NFT is priced at the amount needed to get a specific woman out of prison and explains why she borrowed money — a derailed attempt to start a business, paying for infertility treatment or a parent's medicine, a loan taken out for an elderly neighbor.
The initiative was developed by creative agency Horizon FCB Dubai, with accompanying images contributed by artists from around the world. Breakchains with Blockchain's first NFT collection launched with nine pieces on Egyptian Mother's Day (21 March 2022), and more pieces will be added to free as many women as possible.
