My Family is My Strength…an Egyptian initiative to support families of people with disabilities towards a more just and sustainable society

My family is my strength…an Egyptian initiative to support families of people with disabilities towards a more just and sustainable society

In a humanitarian scene that reflects the essence of social justice and community solidarity, Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate witnessed the launch of the third phase of the national initiative “My Family is My Strength”, under the patronage of Mrs. Intisar El-Sisi, wife of His Excellency the President of the Republic. The initiative, organized by the National Council for Persons with Disabilities, was a practical step towards promoting human rights, consolidating the principles of empowerment, and supporting families as the first bulwark for their members with disabilities. The intense presence and broad community interaction embodied the depth of the growing awareness of the importance of integrating this group into national development.

The initiative came to confirm that the family is a social unit, and it is also a basic pillar of human and development sustainability. Empowering people with disabilities and their families is directly linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially Goal (3) related to good health and well-being, Goal (4) related to quality education, Goal (8) related to decent work and economic growth, as well as Goal (10) which seeks toReduce inequalities.

The family as a pillar of empowerment and development

With this deep understanding of the importance of the family, it becomes necessary to address the practical directions that were adopted in the “My Family is My Strength” activities, which seek to develop mechanisms to support and empower the family in a manner consistent with the goals of sustainable development. From the first moment of the opening of the initiative’s activities in Kafr El-Sheikh, a clear central idea emerged, which is that the family is the first fortress and the strongest support for people with disabilities.

The official speeches delivered during the sessions not only emphasized rights, but also highlighted the practical role of the family in empowering its children, starting with health and education, all the way to social and economic inclusion. This vision is in harmony with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which consider the family a major axis for achieving equality and building a just society.

Family Empowerment

Empowering the family with psychological and social support tools opens the door to a new generation of citizens who are able to contribute to development effectively, and strengthening the role of the family is reflected in the structure of the entire society, by spreading the values of solidarity, consolidating the culture of inclusion, and strengthening the social fabric, and here the strategic dimension of the initiative emerges, which is not limited to providing temporary services, but rather seeks to build long-term awareness that guarantees sustainability.

Community Participation

The open dialogues conducted with families during the events constituted an important turning point; They were not formal hearings, but rather a real space to express daily challenges, starting from the delay in issuing integrated services cards, to the problems of health insurance and pensions. Involving families in this way reflects a philosophy based on community participation and participatory decision-making, which is consistent with the essence of sustainable development.

From this standpoint, it can be said that the “My Family is My Strength” initiative seeks to build a comprehensive society that starts from within, from family awareness and empowerment. To reach the outside world, where individuals integrate into an integrated development system.

The right to health and educational integration

One of the prominent topics addressed by the initiative was the right to health, as the activities stressed the necessity of early medical screening and detection of disabilities in their early stages, allowing for early intervention and appropriate care. This vision reflects a clear commitment to Goal (3) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which stipulates ensuring a healthy life and promoting well-being for all.

Towards Equality

In addition to health, came education, which represents an essential bridge towards societal integration, as the “My Inclusive School” initiative was launched within this phase of the “My Family, My Strength” initiative to emphasize the state’s belief that good education is not complete unless it includes everyone without exception. Inclusive education is not limited to providing school seats for people with disabilities, but rather requires an educational environment that takes into account individual differences and develops students’ abilities to interact and coexist.

Economic Empowerment

The initiative also paid attention to economic empowerment programs through the “Job Opportunity” project, which seeks to integrate families into the labor market and improve income opportunities. Through this, support is transformed from immediate assistance to real opportunities that enable families to rely on themselves, thus enhancing independence and sustainability of income.

Comprehensive development

In addition, the initiative did not neglect the psychological and social aspect, as it launched programs for psychological support, and initiatives to promote arts and culture, in addition to sports and recreational activities. These integrated dimensions translate a philosophy based on comprehensive development that is not limited to one dimension, but rather integrates health, education, economy, and culture into one system.

Strategic partnerships to ensure sustainability

One of the most prominent strengths of the third phase of “My Family, My Strength” is the trend towards building strategic partnerships with government agencies, the private sector, and civil society. These partnerships represent the cornerstone of the sustainability of the initiative. It is not possible for one council or a specific party to bear a responsibility of this magnitude alone, and this cooperation between the various parties ensures the diversity of resources, the complementarity of roles, and the continuity of support.

Involving the private sector and civil society not only reflects a societal responsibility, but also enhances the initiative’s ability to spread and reach wider segments, and this is consistent with Goal (17) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which focuses on establishing partnerships to achieve the goals; When efforts are combined between the state, the private sector and civil society, it becomes possible to achieve qualitative leaps in the field of integration and empowerment of people with disabilities.

In the same context, another element emerges, which is spreading awareness on a large scale, through developing simplified and effective awareness content that reaches families in all governorates. Awareness is the first step towards change, and a society that is aware of the rights and capabilities of people with disabilities becomes more capable of supporting and integrating them in all fields.

With the expansion of the third phase to include ten governorates, and reaching thousands of families, theEarth Guards Foundation believes that the “My Family is My Strength” initiative is a model that can be circulated on a broader national scale. It embodies a comprehensive philosophy that treats people with disabilities as citizens with full rights, and emphasizes that their integration into society is an essential path for development.

This expansion reflects a national commitment that goes beyond temporary initiatives, to lay the foundation for a long-term approach; The initiative, which began in Sohag and moved to Kafr El-Sheikh, is preparing to cover governorates from Upper Egypt to the Delta, and from the New Valley to the Red Sea. To confirm that sustainable development knows no geographical borders.