A new beginning for building the Egyptian human being in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
A new beginning for building the Egyptian human being in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The importance of early childhood development is evident as it is a fundamental pillar in achieving theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which is the stage that occurs in the first six years of a child’s life; That is, the golden stage in which the capabilities of a person’s mind, body, and soul are built. Therefore, investment at this stage is considered one of the most successful investments in the life of nations.
Based on this great importance, and in support of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a comprehensive and fair manner; The President’s Initiative for Human Development, “A New Beginning for Human Development,” launched the Golden Beginning Program for the family and children from the age of 0 to 6 years. This true golden beginning will be shaped by providing integrated health, educational, and psychological care for all children, provided that maternal health care is in the first place in this national program, while creating a sustainable environment that guarantees a safe pregnancy and a healthy birth, and then providing a suitable climate for positive upbringing, and stimulating the child’s abilities to Learning.
Within the framework of achieving these national development goals, Egyptian government efforts are united, as the Ministry of Health and Population plays a pivotal role in this program. In addition to the above steps of caring for the fetus until it becomes a child, the Ministry of Health will work to provide high-quality health care with regard to ensuring the child’s proper nutrition. To ensure healthy growth and development, reduce rates of anemia and stunting, combat malnutrition, and reduce infant and neonatal mortality rates.
Among the ministries that participate in activating the Golden Start Program for Family and Children is the Ministry of Social Solidarity, whose role is to empower families economically, provide comprehensive coverage for nurseries, ensure the protection of children’s rights within a conscious family, and protect them from violence. There is also the Ministry of Education, which is concerned with raising children’s enrollment rates in pre-school education and developing their skills to ensure their readiness for primary education. The Ministry of Culture also raises cultural awareness among parents. So that they realize the importance of this stage through educational programs and awareness seminars. The Ministry of Youth and Sports also participates in preparing sound physical education programs for children. In order to build a generation that enjoys physical and psychological health.
The details of the program’s objectives – the Golden Start Program for families and children from 0 to 6 years of age – are to increase the coverage rate of licensed nurseries for the age group from 0 to 4 years within three years, and to increase the coverage rate of pre-school education from 30% to 60%.
The program also aims to reduce the rates of diseases we mentioned previously – anemia, stunting and malnutrition – by up to 10% annually, in addition to reducing infant and newborn mortality rates by 10% annually. The program also seeks to raise the rate of breastfeeding at the age of 4-5 months from 13% to 50% within three years.
All of these goals and that ministerial cooperation help build a generation with good health and education consistent with the requirements of urbanization and the standards of the renaissance of Egyptian society – scientifically, culturally and socially – in all fields. In fulfillment of Egypt’s Vision 2030, which is consistent with many of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as the third goal: good health and well-being, where the “Golden Start Program for Families and Children from 0 to 6 years of age” works to improve children’s health, reduce their rates of malnutrition, and combat diseases that may affect them in general.
Then there is the fourth goal: quality education, which appears in the axes of this national program by raising children’s enrollment rates in pre-school education and developing an appropriate educational environment. If we also look at the ministerial cooperation on which the program is based, we will find that it achieves – of course – the seventeenth goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is: establishing partnerships to achieve goals.
In conclusion,The Earth Guards emphasizes the decisive importance of this presidential initiative in enhancing the future of future generations, as it works on the ground to improve the health and education of children who will shape the future of Egypt. This reflects the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in general and Egypt’s Vision 2030 in particular.
