The move aligns with the 2018 Persons with Disabilities Rights law aiming to integrate challenged people into society, the ministry said in a statement.

The statement added that the ministry is committed to providing decent job opportunities for challenged people in line with the legally mandated 5 percent employment quota in both public and private sectors.

The ministry added that it has worked with NGOs and private sector companies to train people with disabilities in various skills to prepare them for the job market.

So far, 210 people with disabilities have been trained in digital marketing, and the ministry is preparing to train another 850.

Taheel Platform

The ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, the Ministry of Labour, and other partners, is currently working to develop the National Network for Persons with Disabilities, known as Taheel, according to Tuesday's statement.

Launched in 2021, Taheel is a result of a partnership 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 network aims to help young people with disabilities find decent jobs through a stand-alone digital platform that connects rehabilitation, training, and employment programs.

It also seeks to create an integrated system to support national efforts in training, qualifying, and employing people with disabilities.

In this context, six workshops on how to use the network have been held in the governorates of Cairo, Qalyubia, Giza, Menoufia, Sharqia, Damietta, Alexandria, and Port Said, the solidarity ministry noted.

So far, the ministry said, the network has seen registrations from 187 private sector companies, 1,551 civil society organisations involved in training for employment, 1,391 job seekers, 100 vacant positions, and 53 services tailored for persons with disabilities.

Additionally, advisory sessions have been also conducted for persons with disabilities, focusing on skills development in the banking sector, building a professional identity on LinkedIn, writing effective resumes, and entrepreneurship.

The ministry said 168 individuals participated in these sessions.

Inclusion Efforts

The Egyptian government has been exerting significant efforts to protect persons with disabilities, improve their quality of life, and ensure better economic, social, and environmental conditions for them.

The country has introduced numerous measures to support persons with disabilities, including accessibility upgrades, anti-bullying legislation, and specialised training programs to enhance their societal and labour market inclusion.

In November, the education ministry launched the "Making Schools a Place for All Students" campaign to promote the integration of students with special educational needs and disabilities in Egyptian inclusive schools.

The campaign was launched in collaboration with the British Council and UNICEF.

According to CAPMAS's first National Disability Survey conducted in 2022, 11 percent of Egypt's population at the time, equivalent to approximately 11.4 million people, experienced disabilities ranging from mild to absolute difficulty.

Recent data from UNDP Egypt showed that the total number of individuals living with disabilities has risen to 12 million people in 2023.