Cairo: The National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM) has initiated the pilot operation of its "Child Safe" Unit, aimed at enhancing Egypt's child protection infrastructure and offering integrated psychological, social, and legal support services to children at risk.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the initiative is being implemented in collaboration with Plan International Egypt to provide a secure and organized environment for children who have experienced violence, abuse, or other vulnerabilities. The launch event was attended by various officials, including Rosan Khalifa, a representative of Plan International Egypt; Wael Abdel Razeq, Secretary-General of the NCCM; Amr Ahmed, Head of the Central Administration for Financial and Administrative Affairs; and Sabry Othman, Director of the Child Helpline Administration.

NCCM Chairperson Sahr el-Sanbaty stated that this initiative aligns with the Council's responsibilities under Law No. 182 of 2023, which designates it as the national authority for child and maternal affairs, focusing on the protection of at-risk children and addressing complaints regarding rights violations. El-Sanbaty emphasized that the Council's operations are built on five pillars: prevention, protection, intervention, recovery, and empowerment, providing a comprehensive framework for child protection.

El-Sanbaty further explained that the "Safe Child" unit is intended as a comprehensive safe space for cases referred through the Child Helpline, adhering to national standards and international best practices in case management. The unit will offer immediate response services, emergency intervention, case assessments, psychological counseling, family guidance, legal support, and follow-up actions. It will also facilitate referrals to relevant authorities and support the reintegration and rehabilitation of children within their families and communities.

El-Sanbaty highlighted that the initiative is a response to the increasing number of reports received via the Child Helpline, which documented 24,521 cases of at-risk children last year, underscoring the necessity for more effective intervention strategies. An operational procedures manual for the unit is being developed to standardize referral pathways and ensure coordination with partner institutions.

El-Sanbaty expressed gratitude to Plan International Egypt for its ongoing support, noting that the partnership has significantly bolstered child protection initiatives in Egypt.