Egypt’s 1st lady marks IDPD, says people of determination are nation's heart and hope

CAIRO – 3 December 2021: Egypt’s First Lady Entissar Amer marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), saying disabled people are the “heart of Egypt and its hope and bright side”.

In a Facebook post, Amer said the IDPD “is a sincere expression of the extent of capabilities of the people of determination regarding challenge, will, and determination”.

“They are an authentic part of the nation’s fabric,” Amer said.

Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel-Aal announced that 12 public parks will allow free entry for disabled people on Friday.

The International Day of Disabled Persons celebrated internationally on the 3rd of December has been promoted by the United Nations since 1992.

Parks allowing free entry for disabled people today include the Japanese Gardens, the International Park, the Azbakia Garden, the Child Park, Rod Al-Farag Park, Arts Park in Al-Manial, Om Kalthoum Garden, 6th of October Garden, and Al-Manial Garden.

Egypt witnessed an unprecedented boom during the past decade in the field of rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, as the state took several steps to ensure the rights of this group of citizens, in education, health, job opportunities, and pension.

This includes the issuance of Law No. (11) of 2019 forming the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.

Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi issued law no. 10 for 2018 on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on February 20, after being approved by the Parliament.

The new law imposes many commitments on the government towards persons with disabilities, including ensuring non-discrimination due to disability, or gender of the person with disability; ensuring real equality in all human rights and fundamental freedoms; ensuring respect of their choices and how they express them, and ensuring their right to obtain information that concerns them from all sectors.