The Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Neveen Al-Qabbaj, affirmed the expansion of women’s economic empowerment initiatives, through 300,000 projects valued at EGP 3 B, in the face of domestic violence, especially since its main causes are poverty and drugs.
This came during the plenary session of the Senate held Sunday, which discussed the report of the joint committee of the Human Rights and Social Solidarity Committee and the offices of the constitutional and legislative affairs committees, culture and tourism, antiquities and media, religious affairs and endowments on the study submitted by Representative Muhammad Haiba, regarding the phenomenon of domestic violence causes, effects and means of confrontation.
The minister praised the programs supporting the Egyptian family, particularly “Mawada”, which provides training for those intending to marry, as well as the two committees that were assigned by the political leadership of the ministry and under the supervision of the Prime Minister.
Al-Qabbaj referred to the efforts made to monitor violence against the elderly, including the “elderly” program, which provides services in his home, as well as the rehabilitation of those in charge of his care, noting also the increase in the number of social workers to 14,000 social workers to measure trends in violence and the expansion of the “Awareness” program.
Regarding combating addiction, she affirmed the expansion of addiction recovery centers to 40 centers nationwide that provide free and confidential services, with the opening of a hotline to tend to those who seek treatment, as well as carrying out awareness campaigns within youth centers and universities.
Al-Qabbaj stressed that the ministry is working on supporting and developing society, especially women, and confronting female genital mutilation, early marriage, and domestic violence, whether physical or psychological.
As for the homeless children crisis, the minister confirmed the increase in rapid intervention teams, as well as the presence of 17 cars roaming the streets for homeless children.
Moreover, the ministry tackles other crucial issues like deprivation of education, persecution of people with disabilities, disrespect for the elderly, bullying towards girls and women, and human trafficking.
Extensive efforts are put into raising awareness of violence issues, educating those in charge of the educational process, whether parents or teachers and rehabilitating all women and their children, noting that family counseling centers have been restored.
The minister indicated that vulnerable groups that are least aware of their rights are the ones most subjected to extortion and violence, whether women or children.