Egypt’s Ministry of Local Development and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) have formalized a joint executive action plan designed to embed child welfare and protection at the core of national and local development strategies across all governorates.
The agreement was signed in the presence of Minister of Local Development Manal Awad and UNICEF Representative in Egypt Natalia Winder Rossi. Their meeting served as a platform to assess current areas of cooperation and align priorities between UNICEF’s mandate and the Ministry’s initiatives, particularly those outlined in Egypt’s 2024–2027 governmental work plan.
Minister Awad reaffirmed the Ministry’s strong commitment to enhancing its partnership with UNICEF, focusing on delivering tangible improvements to children’s quality of life. She emphasized that particular attention would be directed towards children living in rural and underserved regions, especially areas targeted by Egypt’s presidential Decent Life Initiative, which aims to improve living standards in the country’s most vulnerable communities. Children with disabilities are also a key focus of the joint plan.
A central pillar of the strategy involves empowering local governance structures to play a more active and effective role in child protection. This will be achieved by strengthening the capacity of child protection units and committees at the governorate level, enabling them to respond more efficiently to the needs of children and their families.
In addition to institutional support, the plan includes a significant investment in child-focused infrastructure—such as safe spaces, educational facilities, and health services—and aims to enhance community awareness around children’s rights and protection. This will be driven by a series of collaborative public campaigns and inclusive training programs that encourage community participation and ownership.
The joint action plan marks a comprehensive approach to integrating child protection into broader development efforts, reinforcing Egypt’s commitment to creating a safer, more supportive environment for every child, regardless of their location or background.