"National childhood and motherhood": A strong movement on the issue of children’s rights in 2024 thanks to the support of the political leadership
Dr. Sahar Al-Sunbati, President of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, confirmed that the year 2024 witnessed a strong movement on the issue of children’s rights at all levels thanks to the support of the political leadership, which gave it special care, and this was demonstrated by the issuance of Law No. 182 of 2023 regarding the reorganization of the Council. The National Center for Childhood and Motherhood, as the national mechanism concerned with children and mothers, is entrusted with developing policies and strategies in accordance with the provisions of this The law,
She pointed out that children represent the largest segment of the population, so the Council works to enforce children’s rights and invest in childhood because it is the real investment for the future.
Al-Sunbati said, in a statement today, Friday, that the General Administration for Child Help received 453,082 calls during the past year, including 21,424 reports on the child helpline. “16,000”, an increase over the previous year by 2.8%, pointing out that the percentage of reports of cases of child endangerment recorded 88%, and 12% was the percentage of telephone consultations, whether legal or psychological, and complaints regarding child endangerment varied between “complaints related to performing an operation.” Female circumcision, child marriage, online child exploitation, child labor, begging, family neglect, providing shelter services for found children, and issuing papers. Probability.
She added that the governorates most in demand for the service were the governorates of “Cairo, Alexandria, Giza, Sharkia, Dakahlia, and Qalyubia,” stressing that the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood, represented by The General Administration for Child Help receives complaints from citizens 24 hours a day through the “16000” hotline, or from Through the WhatsApp application on the number 01102121600, all necessary measures have been taken in cooperation with the relevant authorities to protect children, remove danger and harm from them, provide them with the necessary support, and manage cases until they are closed.
She explained. During the past year, the Council implemented many initiatives aimed at developing and improving children’s skills and encouraging them to participate and create, such as the Egyptian Child Empowerment Initiative “Tomorrah Pina” Which aimed to provide the child with positive behaviors and skills to create societal change and raise awareness of belonging, citizenship, and acceptance of others. The year concluded with the issuance of a decision by the Minister of Education and Technical Education to generalize the implementation of the Egyptian Child Empowerment Initiative (Tomorrow Bena) in all schools nationwide.
She indicated that as part of the Council’s interest in educating families on how to promote positive behaviors and modify negative behaviors in children, the “Friend them, you will win them” initiative was launched. Which had a significant impact in supporting families in raising children in a healthy manner, in addition to launching the #Safe campaign with the aim of protecting children from the dangers of misuse of the Internet and providing a safe digital environment for children, indicating that the campaign “Our differences do not separate us” was launched. In cooperation with UNICEF Which aimed to support the rights of children and their integration into society, eliminate discrimination and bullying, spread a culture of acceptance of others, and enhance self-confidence, as well as participating in a number of activities in the presidential initiative “A New Beginning for Human Building.”
She stressed that the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood attached special importance to supporting children’s right to participate by expanding the launch of the “Children’s Forum and Parliament.” In a large number of governorates, which is a platform for children to express their needs and issues, it is a new approach to teaching children to assume leadership and responsibility. The year 2024 also witnessed the expansion of the implementation of the National Initiative to Empower Girls “Dawai” It is sponsored by the Honorable Mrs. Intisar Al-Sisi, wife of His Excellency the President of the Republic, and she works to support and empower girls and boys in the age group from 10 to 18 years by enhancing understanding between generations, and giving children and parents a safe space to communicate with each other.
She pointed out that, as part of the Council’s fulfillment of its mandated role of preparing guides on childhood issues, a community awareness guide has been prepared that includes all issues related to the rights of children and mothers, The Manual for Operating Standard Procedures for Child Labor was also launched, which was prepared to be a unified reference for the case management system and work organization among all concerned parties to reach danger points and address them as quickly as possible. The National Council for Childhood and Motherhood also implemented an awareness campaign in partnership with the International Labor Organization to raise awareness of the dangers of child labor. Children in the Gharbia Governorate in the villages of Yasmeen.
She said that during the year 2024, the Council took several serious steps to end violence against children in all its forms. And its forms, through the implementation of several programs, such as the female genital mutilation program, which is implemented within the framework of the work of the National Committee to Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation, which was established under the joint chairmanship of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood and the National Council for Women. The committee has succeeded in raising awareness of the dangers of this crime as well as Raising community awareness of the penalties imposed for female genital mutilation crimes, pointing out that the year concluded with an important conference under the slogan “White Tactical Against Female Genital Mutilation.” To publicize the seriousness of the phenomenon of medicalization of female genital mutilation, by activating comprehensive awareness programs to reach Egyptian doctors and introduce them to the various aspects of the issue (legal, medical, and religious), in addition to implementing a program to eliminate child marriage and combat child labor, noting that the Council took It is his responsibility to combat the issues of human trafficking and illegal immigration, by providing services to victims in cooperation with the National Coordinating Committee to Combat, including Illegal Immigration and Trafficking. Humans.
She explained that many activities were implemented that aimed to raise awareness of children’s rights within the framework of implementing the youth care and integration programme, and the activities were carried out in the form of interactive work groups through the implementation of Extracurricular activities based on thought, creativity, entertainment, and participation, as well as implementing a package of activities to support children’s mental health and support children with disabilities, with the aim of working to protect and care for children with disabilities, educating their families and those dealing with them, and providing them with the necessary information in this regard. The matter.
She confirmed that the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood attaches special importance to supporting distinguished and creative children, and in this context, the male and female students who were the top students in Al-Azhar Secondary School (scientific, literary, and those with insight) and the top students in Al-Azhar High School were honored. Readings, in cooperation with the Sheikhdom of Al-Azhar Al-Sharif, and honoring the top secondary school students in its “scientific” sections. “Literary” and the first arrivals from Gaza, to motivate them to continue their excellence and diligence. The Council also launched the “Egypt in the Eyes of Children” competition. for Innovation and Design in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture. The winners were honored in a celebration held by the Council in cooperation with UNICEF under the slogan “We are the future.” To celebrate International Children’s Day.
Dr. Sahar Al-Sunbati said that the past year witnessed the support and development of the General Administration for Child Relief, which specializes in receiving complaints from children and adults and treating them in a way that achieves the speedy rescue of children from all… Violence, danger, or neglect. This comes within the framework of providing an effective mechanism for reporting cases of children at risk, as well as developing the work of the departments attached to it, such as the Legal Support Unit and the Psychological Support and Family Guidance Unit, with the aim of providing psychological support and guidance. families of children who suffer from psychological problems, those who are abused, and those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. In this regard, the Psychological Support and Family Guidance Unit has implemented “art therapy” workshops. For children, with the aim of enhancing their mental health and providing a safe space to express their feelings through art, and also recovering from the negative experiences they went through that left a negative impact on them.
And within the framework of strengthening frameworks Cooperation, support for partnerships, and coordination between concerned parties. A number of meetings were held with national stakeholders and partner civil society to enhance cooperation on a number of issues related to family and child support. The year concluded with the signing of a cooperation protocol between the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood and the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, with the aim of empowering mothers and children. People with disabilities and their families.
