The initiative comes ahead of Father's Day, which is observed in most Arab countries on 21 June, and aims to recognize positive parenting and the role of fathers in Egyptian families.
Applications are being accepted through the Social Solidarity Directorates in all governorates until Monday, 15 June.
The competition will honour 16 fathers across four categories. Ten winners will be selected in the natural father category, while two awards will go to fathers of children with disabilities who have made exceptional efforts in caring for and integrating their children and whose children have excelled in sports, science, or the arts.
Two additional awards will be presented to foster fathers who have cared for children through the kafala system after receiving them from care institutions. The final two awards will recognize the fathers of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Interior martyrs.
The ministry will also honour several public figures who have played influential roles in supporting and preserving the Egyptian family.
For the natural father category and the father of a child with a disability category, applicants must demonstrate an inspiring story of dedication and responsibility that carries positive messages for their children and society. Candidates must be at least 50 years old and hold a suitable educational qualification of no less than an intermediate degree.
Applicants are generally required to have no more than three children. However, this condition does not apply to residents of the border governorates of North Sinai, South Sinai, New Valley, Matrouh, the Red Sea, and Aswan.
In addition, all children must either have completed higher education or be enrolled in regular educational stages. The selection process also takes into account efforts to encourage children to engage in private-sector work, establish small businesses, and participate in community service activities.
For the foster father category, the foster child must have obtained a university degree. The ministry requires equal treatment of all children in the family regarding education, healthcare, and general care. Candidates must demonstrate that they provided foster children with the attention, affection, and support necessary for healthy psychological and social development.
All applications submitted directly to the Social Solidarity Directorates will be reviewed by local committees in each governorate. Selected nominations will then be forwarded to a central committee at the ministry, comprising ministry officials and representatives of partner organizations concerned with family affairs.
The ministry stressed that applications with incomplete documentation or those submitted after the deadline of 15 June 2026 will not be considered.
First launched by the Ministry in 2023 to complement Egypt's decades-long tradition of honouring ideal mothers, the Model Father Competition represents a modern shift toward recognizing the equal importance of paternal guidance in fostering a healthy society.
The initiative is part of the Ministry of Social Solidarity's family-focused programmes aimed at promoting positive parenting and recognizing outstanding fatherhood role models in Egyptian society.
In recent years, the ministry has launched similar initiatives such as the "Mawada" programme, which aims to prepare young people for family life, and the national "Positive Parenting" campaign.
The Model Father Competition complements these efforts by recognizing fathers who have demonstrated dedication to raising and supporting their families.
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