Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Maya Morsy, inaugurated the opening session of a high-level roundtable titled “Enhancing Institutional Capacity to Serve People with Disabilities,” organized by the “Qaderoon Bekhtelaf” Fund (Arabic for “Capable in Our Difference”). The event marks the first official activity of the fund under the leadership of its newly appointed Executive Director, Zina Tawakkol.
Held in Cairo, the roundtable convened key stakeholders from civil society, governmental bodies, and sectoral experts to address the systemic challenges and institutional gaps in disability services across Egypt.
National Commitment to Inclusion
In her opening remarks, Dr. Morsy emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment—under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi—to the rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
“This fund is a reflection of the President’s vision to ensure that people with disabilities are not just recipients of services, but active, equal partners in society,” said Dr. Morsy.
She added that the Qaderoon Bekhtelaf Fund plays a strategic role in fostering financial inclusion, vocational training, and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. It also aims to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) run by persons with disabilities, in collaboration with relevant ministries and public institutions.
Strengthening Partnerships Across Sectors
The roundtable aimed to create a collaborative space for dialogue and coordination between service providers, civil society organizations, and state institutions. Dr. Morsy reiterated the fund’s readiness to work with a wide range of actors—including “Ata’a” Fund, a charitable investment fund focused on supporting people with disabilities.
The event focused on mapping current service gaps, identifying challenges faced by organizations working in the disability sector, and developing actionable, evidence-based policy recommendations.
Vision of the New Executive Director
Executive Director Zina Tawakkol expressed her gratitude to the Board of the Qaderoon Bekhtelaf Fund, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly, and to Minister Morsy for her nomination and trust.
She stressed that the roundtable would serve as a platform for actionable dialogue, focusing on the end-to-end journey of people with disabilities in accessing services—from social care to economic inclusion.
Interactive Dialogue and Practical Outcomes
The event adopted an interactive format designed to encourage participation and co-creation of solutions among attendees. Discussions revolved around:
- Challenges in service provision and institutional coordination
- Best practices in funding and inclusive program design
- Successful case studies from NGOs and government partners
- Building unified strategies for disability inclusion at scale
Tawakkol highlighted that the Qaderoon Bekhtelaf Fund functions as both a coordinating and development arm of the Egyptian state in the field of disability rights. It aligns with national strategies to integrate persons with disabilities across economic, educational, healthcare, and social development sectors.
Building a Unified Vision for the Future
The roundtable concluded with a shared commitment to developing a measurable and unified implementation plan, positioning the fund as a catalyst for systemic change. Participants agreed to continue building a comprehensive national framework for disability inclusion, echoing Egypt’s growing reputation as a regional leader in disability rights and empowerment.
This event marks a significant milestone in Egypt’s broader efforts to build a more inclusive, participatory society—one that recognizes ability in diversity, and strength in unity.
