Cairo: The Ministry of Social Solidarity announced Tuesday that it has successfully secured employment for 1,318 individuals with disabilities across private sector companies, factories, and banks nationwide. This initiative is part of the ministry’s ongoing efforts to integrate people with disabilities into society, in accordance with the 2018 Persons with Disabilities Rights law.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the ministry emphasized its commitment to providing decent job opportunities for individuals with disabilities, adhering to the legally mandated 5 percent employment quota in both public and private sectors. The ministry has collaborated with NGOs and private sector companies to equip people with disabilities with various skills necessary for the job market, training 210 individuals in digital marketing, with plans to train an additional 850.
The ministry is further enhancing its efforts through the development of the National Network for Persons with Disabilities, known as Taheel. In
coordination with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Labour, and other partners, Taheel was launched in 2021 as a collaboration with the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the UN Partnership to Promote the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD). The digital platform aims to connect rehabilitation, training, and employment programs to help young people with disabilities secure employment.
As part of the Taheel initiative, six workshops have been conducted across various governorates, including Cairo, Qalyubia, Giza, Menoufia, Sharqia, Damietta, Alexandria, and Port Said. The network boasts registrations from 187 private sector companies, 1,551 civil society organizations focused on training for employment, 1,391 job seekers, 100 vacant positions, and 53 services specifically designed for persons with disabilities.
The ministry has also organized advisory sessions for individuals with disabilities to develop skills in
the banking sector, build a professional identity on LinkedIn, craft effective resumes, and explore entrepreneurship, with 168 participants taking part in these sessions.
The Egyptian government continues to make significant strides in protecting and improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities. Efforts include accessibility upgrades, anti-bullying legislation, and specialized training programs. In November, the education ministry, in collaboration with the British Council and UNICEF, launched the “Making Schools a Place for All Students” campaign to promote the integration of students with special educational needs and disabilities in inclusive schools.
CAPMAS’s first National Disability Survey in 2022 revealed that 11 percent of Egypt’s population, or approximately 11.4 million people, experienced some form of disability. Recent data from UNDP Egypt indicates that this number has increased to 12 million in 2023.