Cairo: The Social Solidarity Ministry, in collaboration with the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), orchestrated a ceremony to launch a social protection report titled ‘Social Protection: Reality and Horizons – A National Review of the System and Reforms in Egypt’.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the report employs a precise methodology to examine both contributory and non-contributory social protection programs. Raafat Shafiq, Assistant Social Solidarity Minister for Social Protection, highlighted at the ceremony that the report reviews legal frameworks, including social insurance laws, and assesses economic empowerment mechanisms and strategic financial systems initiated by the Ministry of Social Solidarity.

Shafiq underlined the necessity of developing an integrated national framework for social protection in Egypt, in harmony with the country’s sustainable development goals. The government’s goal is to enhance social protection strategies to aid vulnerable groups and mitigate multidimensional poverty.

He further noted the collaboration among various ministries, including those of social solidarity, labor, health, education, and housing.

The report outlines key findings and actionable solutions, such as integrating informal sector workers into social insurance schemes. Discussions during the launch event were instrumental in formulating steps towards a more inclusive and effective social protection system in Egypt.

The report’s release signifies the conclusion of two years of systematic analysis aimed at broadening the reach of social insurance to cover informal sector workers.