Economic and social empowerment for families

Project overview

This project aims to combat the worst forms of child labour in rural Egypt by empowering vulnerable families both socially and economically. Supported by the Embassy of Slovenia, the initiative integrates environmentally friendly and gender-sensitive approaches to improve livelihoods and safeguard children's rights.

A key component of the project is the implementation of the ILO’s SCREAM Programme (Supporting Children’s Rights through Education, Arts, and Media), which engages children creatively to raise awareness about the dangers of child labour and the importance of education.

By offering income-generating opportunities and emphasizing gender equality, the project reduces dependency on child labour while promoting environmental sustainability and community resilience against climate challenges.

Objectives

• Combat Child Labour: Prevent and withdraw 50 children at risk or already engaged in hazardous work, providing them with education and psychosocial support.
• Empower Families: Train 30 parents to engage in environmentally sustainable income-generating activities.
• Raise Awareness: Educate families on occupational safety and health (OSH), recycling, climate change, and child protection.
• Promote Sustainability: Foster eco-friendly practices within the community.
• Strengthen Gender Equality: Ensure women (50% of beneficiaries) take a leading role in income-generating activities.

Key activities

1. SCREAM Programme Rollout: Use education, arts, and media to engage children, raise awareness about the hazards of child labour, and highlight the value of education.
2. Family Training: Leverage ILO’s GET Ahead and Financial Literacy Toolkits to train families in entrepreneurship, gender-sensitive business management, and eco-friendly practices.
3. Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Awareness: Conduct sessions on OSH principles to promote safe working conditions and prevent occupational hazards.
4. Rehabilitation and Education for Children: Enrol at-risk children in school and provide tailored educational, psychosocial, and rehabilitation services.
5. Community Committees: Form local committees to sustain child protection efforts and ensure long-term project impact.
6. Graduation Ceremony: Celebrate the reintegration of children into education systems by providing school supplies and certificates while recognizing parents' efforts and introducing them to governmental support programmes.

Expected outcomes

• Reduced Child Labour: At least 50 children will be prevented or withdrawn from hazardous work and reintegrated into education.
• Economic Empowerment: 30 families will achieve financial stability through sustainable income-generating activities.
• Gender Equality: Women will play a leading role in economic initiatives, fostering inclusive community dynamics.
• Environmental Impact: Families will adopt eco-friendly practices, contributing to biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation.
• Increased Awareness: Families will gain knowledge of occupational safety, health, and child protection, ensuring safer living conditions.
• Improved Access to Services: Enhanced family participation in public health, education, protection, and financial support programmes.

Sustainability and impact

This project establishes long-term mechanisms to:

• Ensure ongoing child protection through local committees.
• Foster environmental awareness and adoption of eco-friendly practices.
• Promote gender-sensitive, climate-resilient livelihoods, enhancing community resilience and growth.