Social Solidarity Minister Nevine al-Kabbaj on Tuesday took part in a high-level conference for launching the strategic review entitled “Towards a Child-friendly Justice System in Egypt: Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals”.
The event was attended by Planning Minister Hala el Saeed, Head of the Central Agency for Organization and Administration (CAOA) Saleh al-Sheikh, Counselor Hossam Shaker, a representative of the prosecutor general, Secretary General of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood Nevine Othman, Swiss Ambassador in Cairo Yvonne Baumann, Head of Governance Reviews and Partnerships Division at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Martin Forst, and representatives of some international organizations, as well as members of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Speaking at the event, Qabbaj said justice for children is one of the Egyptian State’s priorities, as part of its commitment to international charters and conventions, including the implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the goal 16 of Sustainable Development Goals on peace, justice, and strong institutions.
She added vulnerable children and children in conflict with the law are watched through community monitoring offices spreading across the country.
She stated her ministry strives to apply the project titled “Restorative approach to juvenile justice: socio-educative model of reintegration and alternative measures to detention”, which is funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
The project aims to enhance the living conditions of children and adolescents in conflict with the law through the application of the UN Child Rights Convention and the Egyptian Child Law.
It also focuses on promoting the use of alternative measures to detention, diversion and restorative justice and the social/education reintegration programs for children who are held in care institutions.
