Samusocial International Egypt (SSIEG) hosted the conference “Protection and Access to Rights for Mothers and Children in Street Situation”, marking an important milestone in strengthening collective efforts to protect and support mothers and children living in vulnerable street situation in Egypt.
Organized with the support of the European Union Delegation to Egypt, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, and in collaboration with technical partners Shamseya and Tadwein, the conference brought together institutional representatives, development partners, NGOs, and decision-makers to exchange perspectives and advance coordinated action around the protection and access to rights of mothers and children in street situation.
The conference was held within the framework of the project “Sheltering Street Children – Protection of Vulnerable Children and Youth in Street Situation in Cairo”, implemented by Samusocial International Egypte. As part of the project activities, SSIEG commissioned a legal and institutional study conducted by Shamseya to strengthen understanding of the legal framework governing the rights of vulnerable mothers and children.
The study explored several key areas, including:
- Legislation and administrative procedures related to obtaining birth certificates, with specific focus on the “newborn delivery notice” issued by hospitals;
- Access to public maternal and child healthcare services, including pre- and post-natal care, vaccination, and infant health monitoring;
- Legal protection mechanisms and access to protection services for underage mothers;
- Alternative care systems and procedures for children at risk within their family environments.
The findings and recommendations of the study were announced during a seminar held on 6 May 2026, which gathered professionals and NGOs working with vulnerable girls and women and included technical discussions around the feasibility and implementation of the recommendations, helping shape a collective advocacy vision later presented during the conference to policymakers and institutional stakeholders.
During the conference, Shamseya presented the study’s main findings and recommendations, highlighting existing legal and administrative challenges faced by mothers and children in street situation and proposing pathways for more inclusive and protective responses.
Another key component of the project focused on addressing stigma and perceptions surrounding girls and young mothers in street situation. For this purpose, SSIEG partnered with Tadwein, a consultancy specialized in gender issues, to support SSIEG teams and partner organizations in strengthening gender-sensitive approaches and challenging harmful stereotypes.
Tadwein’s intervention included assessing participants’ knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to gender and social stigma, followed by the development of a tailored support plan aimed at improving intervention strategies and awareness-raising methodologies. The initiative also sought to better equip professionals working directly with girls and young mothers to promote dignity, inclusion, and rights-based approaches within Egyptian society.
During the conference, Tadwein shared the outcomes of this journey, presenting the evolution of participants’ perspectives and the tools developed to support long-term institutional and societal change.
The conference also highlighted Samusocial International Egypte’s interventions and services dedicated to women and young mothers in street situation, while addressing ongoing challenges and future strategic priorities to ensure more comprehensive protection and support mechanisms.
Ambassador Eric Chevalier, French Ambassador to Egypt, said: “France remains deeply committed to supporting human rights, social inclusion and gender equality through its feminist diplomacy.Thank you Samusocial teams for your remarkable work on the ground”
Mrs. Sophie VANHAEVERBEKE, Head of Cooperation at the European Union Delegation to Egypt, stated: “Supporting vulnerable people, especially women and children, is an integral part of the European Union’s policy and its collaboration with the Egyptian government. The EU remains committed to supporting national efforts in addressing these recommendations through evidence-based studies and contributing to their effective implementation.”
Layla Hosny, Executive Director of Sawiris Foundation, said: ”For 25 years, the Sawiris Foundation has supported vulnerable children, especially those without parental care, as part of its commitment to strengthening social protection in Egypt. When we talk about children in street situations, we must remember that girls and young mothers face even greater exclusion and harsher challenges. This event is a call for collective action to strengthen collaboration between government, civil society, and development partners, while ensuring that no child, girl, or young mother is left behind
Géraldine Tawfik, Country Representative of Samusocial International Egypt, commented:
“We dream of a day without children and youth in street situation, a day where every girl and woman feels seen and respected. I believe that if we are to achieve this, we can only do so together, and one day we will celebrate a reality in which every woman and child in vulnerable situation feels recognized, respected, and supported.”
About the European Union (EU):
The European Union (EU) is a unique economic and political union between 27 European countries. They work together to improve the lives of people in Europe, and even further afield.
The EU has worked for the peace, prosperity and well-being of its citizens for over 60 years. From six founding countries – or Member States – in the 1950s, it has grown into a union of 27 countries with a population of almost 450 million people.
The EU is represented through some 144 EU Delegations and Offices around the world. For over 50 years, these Delegations and Offices have acted as the representatives of the European Union vis-à-vis the authorities and population in their host countries.
Learn more about the EU activity in Egypt
About the Agence Française de Développement (AFD):
The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) Group has established itself as a key player in Franco-Egyptian cooperation, working since 2006 to support the country’s economic, social and environmental transitions.
In response to these challenges, AFD is stepping up its efforts and in 2022 revised its strategic intervention framework to support the country in the transitions underway and respond to Egypt’s specific climate change adaptation needs, gender equality or training and employment.
With a portfolio of €2.3 billion (November 2023), AFD is deploying a diversified range of instruments to support the Egyptian government in its development objectives, mainly in the sustainable infrastructure sectors (energy, transport, water and sanitation), climate finance, support for the private sector and entrepreneurship, and social sectors, including social protection.
Today, 55 projects are underway, contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reflecting the priorities shared by Egypt and France. They are intended to support the integration of Egyptian financial, commercial and productive systems at the regional level; to support the development of green, inclusive and efficient infrastructure; and promote equitable and sustainable local territorial development.
Learn more about the AFD Group’s activity in Egypt
About Sawiris Foundation:
The Sawiris Foundation is one of Egypt’s earliest philanthropic development foundations, established in 2001 by the Sawiris family to support innovative solutions for sustainable development.
For 25 years, the Foundation has worked in partnership with government entities, the private sector, civil society organizations, and international institutions to implement programs and initiatives across social empowerment, economic empowerment, education, culture, and the arts, with a particular focus on underserved communities in Upper Egypt.
The Foundation adopts an approach grounded in effective partnerships and evidence-based solutions, contributing to the reduction of multidimensional poverty and the creation of more inclusive and sustainable development impact. Through its 2023–2028 strategy, the Foundation continues to focus on two main objectives: reducing multidimensional poverty and empowering agents of change, while strengthening its institutional readiness to respond to development challenges and crises.
About Samusocial International Egypt:
Samusocial International (SSI) is a French NGO founded in 1998. It aims at promoting actions and disseminating knowledge on social exclusion, notably by supporting the creation and development of Samusocial services in urban areas throughout the world. Founded on a community of shared values, ethical principles, and methodologies, the network of Samusocial International partners spans various regions of the world (Africa, Latin America, Europe, and the Middle East).
Its office in Egypt, Samusocial International Egypt (SSIEG), has been intervening since 2008 directly with the children and youths in street situations (CYSS) and accompanies them at the social, medical, psychological and legal levels. Samusocial International Egypt focuses first on identifying the most excluded children living on the street, to create a trusting relationship for them to accept help. SSIEG teams offer medical, psychosocial and legal support to this extremely vulnerable category, paying special attention to girls, women and young mothers. SSIEG teams follow each beneficiary whether still in the street or in partner shelters with an individual perspective and engage them in different activities that will contribute to their social and economic reintegration.
