Egypt's disabled marginalized by government
The situation of disabled Egyptians is not improving and may further deteriorate with the prime minister’s decision to affiliate the National Council for Disability Affairs with the Ministry of Social Solidarity.
CAIRO — Egypt's 2014 constitution granted its more than 10 million disabled citizens numerous rights. Some of them, however, think the state has not taken any new steps to improve their condition. Others believe that progress is merely slow, while some hold that their condition is actually getting worse.
In September, Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab decided to affiliate the National Council for Disability Affairs (NCDA) — tasked with supervising and controlling government services for people with disabilities — with the Ministry of Social Solidarity. Like most specialized councils, the NCDA was previously under the prime minister's authority.
Hossam al-Massah, secretary-general of the NCDA, submitted his resignation in protest and criticized the decision on a television program, where the discussion devolved into an argument between him and Minister of Social Solidarity Ghada Wali. The prime minister subsequently accepted Massah's resignation.
The decision raised the ire of many disabled people, who protested at the NCDA, leading Mahlab to retake control of the NCDA but entrust the minister of social solidarity with overseeing NCDA affairs. According to the decree, the minister shall enjoy all the powers that the prime minister had with respect to the disabled, including coordinating with other ministries to meet their needs.
