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Al-Ahram Weekly
3 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Nurturing the youngest - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
A plan to upgrade nurseries and improve services for children under four is now in action The Ministry of Social Solidarity began a nationwide inventory of nurseries on 29 June in alignment with the presidential directives issued in March on International Women's Day to increase the number of nurseries and raise the enrollment rate of children from birth to four years old. In May and during a meeting with Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli, Maya Morsi, the minister of social solidarity, reviewed the status of nurseries under the National Early Childhood Development Programme, outlining the plan for early childhood development and nursery services. The plan aims to expand the number of nurseries by 2027 to accommodate 13,000 children, upgrade 113 nurseries, establish 176 new ones, and train 2,308 care providers, nursery managers, and parents on ways to deal with kids in addition to implementing a unified preschool curriculum and activities to be offered in nurseries nationwide. According to the latest Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS) figures, the number of children in Egypt was 39.6 million in mid-2023, with 20.3 million males (51.3 per cent of the total) and 19.3 million females. The number of nurseries affiliated with the Ministry of Social Solidarity rose to 25,200, with 1.5 million children enrolled in 2022. With the commencement of the census, 1,800 social workers were deployed countrywide to collect detailed information on children from birth to four years old, as well as on licensed and unlicensed nurseries. Nursery owners were taken by surprise when staff from the social solidarity directorates and rural women leaders arrived to inspect the premises, take photographs, and check birth certificates. This raised concerns, particularly among owners of unlicensed nurseries. According to a working mother in Zeitoun neighbourhood, 'There are very few licensed nurseries in the area. Most of them are unlicensed, and their monthly fees are lower.' 'My work gave me only three months of maternity leave, and I didn't have the luxury of staying home to care for my newborn. At first, I tried to apply for my daughter at a well-known nursery in our neighbourhood, but it had a waiting list and the fees were exorbitant. I was worried about the alternative: unlicensed nurseries, as I assumed their standards would be poor or that they wouldn't provide proper care.' 'I was surprised to find the opposite. I enrolled my daughter in a nursery located on the second floor, and found that it provided excellent care, attention, education, and cleanliness.' A nursery owner in the same neighbourhood said, 'The only space I could find for a nursery was a spacious apartment on the third floor, which meant I was violating the first licensing condition: that nurseries must be located on the ground floor. I had searched extensively for ground-floor spaces, but couldn't find any. I did find a villa with a garden, but at a monthly rent of LE25,000, which I couldn't afford.' The owner noted that the cost of furnishing and equipping the nursery is very high, explaining that one child's chair costs LE250. She added that she had tried to obtain a loan from Nasser Bank to improve the nursery, but the primary requirement was having a licensed facility — something she did not have. Upon starting the census, due to concerns voiced by unlicensed nurseries, the Ministry of Social Solidarity granted them a temporary licence valid for six months, allowing time to rectify their legal status. To obtain the temporary licence, applicants must comply with several regulations, including requirements related to both the licensed applicant and the nursery administrator. These include submitting a copy of their national ID, educational qualifications, a criminal record certificate, a health certificate, a declaration confirming the appointment of qualified staff, and the availability of personnel files. If the staff are unqualified, they will receive training in coordination with the ministry. Additionally, applicants must submit a declaration of implementing a child protection policy, a statement assuming full responsibility for children's safety, and a declaration committing to compliance with all relevant authorities during the temporary licence period, including Civil Protection, the Ministry of Local Development, the New Urban Communities Authority, and other relevant bodies. Regarding location, the regulations stipulate that nurseries must be located no higher than the first floor, possess proof of ownership or a valid lease, adhere to the child capacity specified in the temporary licence, and be situated in an area free of any hazards that could endanger children. The ministerial circular also outlined procedures for the directorates to follow. These include conducting a census of all requests submitted by nurseries seeking to regularise their status, classifying the obstacles preventing licensing, and submitting this information to the ministry. In addition, each directorate must submit a monthly report detailing the number of completed temporary licence applications. Furthermore, a committee stemming from the Higher Committee for Nurseries was established to oversee the regularisation process and address related challenges. Its responsibilities include compiling a national database of statistics received from the directorates and identifying and resolving issues impeding the issuance of temporary licences. The committee is also tasked with coordinating with relevant authorities as needed. A central committee has also been established to monitor nurseries that have been granted temporary licences, following a timetable to ensure their eligibility and oversee the progress of their licensing procedures. Upon hearing about the census, an unlicensed nursery declined to take in children, leading one mother of two to find another nursery. 'It was also unlicensed, but located on the ground floor, though far from my home. Still, I had no alternative,' the mother said. Unlicensed nursery fees in middle income areas start from LE1,200 while licensed nurseries start at LE2,500. 'The survey is being conducted using Geographic Information Systems, in line with national digitisation and digital transformation efforts,' said Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity Margaret Saroufim. 'The census is meant to develop policies supporting families. The lack of data in this sector hinders development strategies,' she added. According to Morsi during her meeting with Madbouli in May, a proposal to amend the regulations governing nurseries has been finalised. In addition, an integrated system has been developed to automate early childhood services, including licensing procedures for nurseries. The goal is to address the key challenges nurseries face and improve access for children. * A version of this article appears in print in the 17 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
See - Sada Elbalad
08-05-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Arab League Organises First Arab Regional Policy Forum
Mohamed Mandour The General Secretariat of the League of Arab States (Social Affairs Sector - Family and Childhood Department), in partnership with the Doha International Family Institute (DIFI), organised the First Arab Regional Policy Forum on the Doha Declaration: The Family and Major Contemporary Changes. The forum was held in Cairo on 7–8 May. It was attended by Her Excellency Dr. Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity of the Arab Republic of Egypt; Sheikha Dr. Hessa Al Thani, Associate Professor at Qatar University; and Tariq Al Ansari, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the Arab Republic of Egypt and Permanent Representative to the League of Arab States, along with numerous experts and representatives of family mechanisms from across the Arab region. Ambassador Dr. Haifa Abu Ghazaleh, Assistant Secretary-General and head of the Social Affairs Sector, stated that the First Regional Policy Forum on the Doha Declaration: The Family and Major Contemporary Changes is a significant event aimed at exploring practical means to implement the Doha Declaration, along with its recommendations and initiatives designed to strengthen family well-being and cohesion. The forum offers a valuable platform for government representatives and experts from various countries in the region to exchange ideas and deliberate on effective methods of implementation. Her Excellency added that the two-day forum is set to discuss the general recommendations issued by the Doha Declaration, the social, economic, and security challenges facing Arab families, and how policy frameworks can respond to these challenges. The forum will also address key contemporary trends highlighted in the Doha Declaration, including the family and technological changes, demographic shifts, migration and urbanisation, and climate change. It will further focus on enhancing the role of youth in shaping social and family policies across the region. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
CairoScene
05-05-2025
- Politics
- CairoScene
Matariya Iftar Wins Best Group Feeding Initiative Award
The People of Good Competition gathered high-profile government officials to celebrate this year's most impactful Ramadan feeding campaigns. May 05, 2025 The Matariya Iftar has been recognised as the Best Group Feeding Initiative in this year's People of Good Competition, organised by Egypt's Ministry of Social Solidarity. The award highlighted the most impactful Ramadan feeding campaign across the country. The Matariya Iftar is considered the largest public Ramadan meal in Egypt. This year's gathering included local residents along with several high-profile attendees: Dr. Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity, foreign ambassadors, celebrities, and sports stars. The award ceremony was attended by key government officials, including the Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr Maya Morsi, Minister of Endowments, Dr. Osama El-Azhary, and Minister of Local Development, Dr. Manal Awad. The competition was jointly organised by the Ministry and the Fund for Supporting Projects of Associations and Civil Society Organisations, aiming to encourage impactful charitable initiatives during Ramadan.
Middle East
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Middle East
Egypt, Singapore discuss social care cooperation
CAIRO, May 1 (MENA) - Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsi met Thursday with Singapore's Minister of Family and Social Development Masagos Zulkifli on the sidelines of her participation in the activities of the 2025 International Conference on Societies of Opportunity (ICSO) hosted by Singapore. The meeting took up bilateral cooperation, especially in the areas of protection and social care, along with benefiting from the exchange of expertise between the two countries. Tragic humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, efforts made by the Egyptian State to support Palestinians and relief efforts provided by the Egyptian Red Crescent (ERC) in transporting and providing humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians figured high during the meeting. (MENA) S A S/S R E
Al-Ahram Weekly
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt embraces inclusion - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
In its effort to integrate people with special needs and boost their rights, Egypt participated in the third edition of the Global Disability Summit which took place in Berlin from 2-3 April with the attendance of more than 3,000 global leaders. The summit aimed to promote comprehensive development and humanitarian action for people with disabilities. At the end of the summit, Egypt announced its adoption of the Amman-Berlin 2025 Declaration to promote the rights of persons with disabilities. The summit concluded its sessions with over 120 countries and international organisations adopting the summit's declaration which sought to enhance the rights of persons with disabilities globally over the coming years on an unprecedented scale. The Amman-Berlin Declaration focuses on achieving two main objectives: '15 per cent for 15 per cent', which calls for allocating at least 15 per cent of international development programmes to include persons with disabilities who represent 15 per cent of the world's population, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). The second is to promote the inclusiveness of international development programmes to ensure equality for and non-discrimination against people with disabilities. The declaration supports the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in international cooperation, with strong emphasis on inclusive and sustainable development. It also calls for measures to protect the safety and well-being of persons with disabilities in times of crisis, such as armed conflicts and natural disasters. As part of its voluntary commitments, Egypt pledged to work towards achieving the 'Living Independently' initiative over the next three years. The plan aims to strengthen the rights of persons with disabilities and ensure their full integration into society. It includes improving access to education and healthcare services, providing equal job opportunities, and developing more inclusive infrastructure. Egyptian Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsi noted that, according to the Central Agency for Public Mobilisation and Statistics (CAPMAS), in 2022, the number of persons with disabilities in Egypt was approximately 10 million. Morsi said that 1.2 million integrated services cards have been issued for people with severe disabilities, confirming that the ministry's offices are open in all directorates to provide the service. According to CAPMAS, the proportion of persons with disabilities was higher in urban areas compared to rural areas, recording 12.1 per cent in urban areas versus 10.1 per cent in rural areas in the same year. Additionally, the percentage of persons with disabilities was higher among females than males, reaching 11.4 per cent for females compared to 10.6 per cent for males for the same year. The data also showed that individuals with severe to complete disabilities accounted for 4.8 per cent of the total population across the country in 2022. Based on the Amman-Berlin Declaration, internal cooperation among relevant stakeholders will be enhanced to achieve the 15 per cent for 15 per cent goal using advanced measurement and evaluation tools. Egypt will develop an implementation plan following the summit to ensure that disability issues are integrated across all sectors. The Global Disability Summit serves as a crucial platform to promote the inclusion of persons with disabilities worldwide. The summit aspired to transform labour markets to become more inclusive, ensure fair and equitable health and education systems, close the digital divide, and guarantee greater participation of persons with disabilities in public life. The summit, first launched in 2017, aimed at bringing together stakeholders from around the world to achieve inclusive development and comprehensive humanitarian action for persons with disabilities. The current summit was hosted by the governments of Germany and Jordan, in collaboration with the International Disability Alliance (IDA). The summit aimed to amplify the voices and enhance the participation of persons with disabilities in policymaking. It addressed key topics such as the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities, the role of social protection in this context, and its feasibility in low- and middle income countries. It also discussed inclusive employment in the Arab region, the challenges it faces, and the necessary policy recommendations to overcome barriers. Berlin served as a global stage for showcasing the priorities and perspectives of persons with disabilities directly to the international audience, reinforcing the slogan 'Nothing About Us Without Us'. * A version of this article appears in print in the 10 April, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
