Egypt’s National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) showcased the nation’s comprehensive strategy for the economic empowerment of people with disabilities during the regional conference for the launch of the “Arab Charter for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities in Employment and Entrepreneurship.” The event, organized by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), was held in Beirut, Lebanon, aiming to foster inclusive employment and entrepreneurship ecosystems across the Arab region.
A Strategic National Investment
Representing Egypt, Dr. Iman Karim, the General Supervisor of the NCPD, emphasized that the economic empowerment of people with disabilities is a core national investment and a key pillar of the country’s development strategy. She stressed that Egypt’s Vision 2030 cannot be fully realized without the active participation of all citizens. This vision is supported by a robust legislative framework, including Law No. 10 of 2018, which mandates a 5% employment quota for people with disabilities in the private sector. Egypt’s approach strategically integrates disability issues into broader national plans, such as the National Strategy for Human Rights (2021-2026) and the Egyptian Women’s Empowerment Strategy 2030, ensuring an integrated and non-isolated approach to development.
Fostering Entrepreneurship Through Invest in Yourself
A key highlight of Egypt’s presentation was the newly launched “Invest in Yourself” project, developed in partnership with the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development Agency (MSMEDA). Rolled out under the national “My Family is My Strength” initiative, this program is designed to transform individuals with disabilities from aid recipients into independent entrepreneurs. The project, initially launched in Alexandria, Sohag, and Kafr El-Sheikh, is set to expand to ten more governorates. It targets individuals aged 18 to 50 with a comprehensive training curriculum covering entrepreneurial skills, professional business plan development, financial budgeting, digital marketing, and green projects.
Building a Multi-Faceted Support System
Egypt’s commitment extends beyond a single program, encompassing a multi-faceted support system. Initiatives like “Egypt is More Beautiful with You,” in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, have trained 2,500 individuals and successfully placed them in private sector jobs through partnerships with 25 companies. The NCPD has also supported 39 exhibitions for products made by people with disabilities, featuring 920 entrepreneurs and providing them with vital platforms for marketing and networking. Furthermore, in the realm of financial inclusion, the Council has partnered with major banks like Banque Misr and the National Bank of Egypt to conduct 96 awareness seminars, reaching over 9,700 individuals with information on accessible banking services.
About The National Council for Persons with Disabilities
The National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) is an Egyptian governmental body dedicated to the protection, promotion, and implementation of the rights of persons with disabilities. The council works to integrate this demographic into all aspects of society, focusing particularly on economic empowerment through employment and entrepreneurship initiatives, legislative advocacy, and fostering strategic partnerships with public and private sector entities to create a fully inclusive environment in line with Egypt’s national development goals.
Source: Eldyar
