June 22, 2026
Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy: Protecting children is a shared societal responsibility that requires the collective efforts of all institutions
As part of Assiut University's commitment to promoting community awareness and strengthening child protection efforts, and under the patronage of Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy, President of the University, the Center for Monitoring and Studying Community Problems organized a workshop entitled "Protecting Children from Verbal, Physical, and Psychological Abuse" under the slogan "Together Against Child Harassment." The workshop was held under the supervision of Professor Mohamed Adawy, Vice President for Community Service and Environmental Development, Professor Ali Kamal Maabed, Director of the Center, and Dr. Asmaa Gaber Mehran, Deputy Director of the Center.
Professor Ahmed El-Minshawy emphasized that protecting children is a shared societal responsibility requiring the concerted efforts of educational, religious, and community institutions. He noted that raising a generation that is psychologically and socially secure begins with instilling a culture of respect and awareness of rights and responsibilities from an early age.
The University President added that Assiut University is committed to supporting awareness initiatives and programs that promote public understanding of children's rights and protection, while fostering a safe environment that supports their healthy psychological and social development. Such efforts, he noted, align with the Egyptian state's vision of investing in human development and preparing generations capable of contributing to sustainable development.
The workshop brought together a distinguished group of specialists and representatives of institutions concerned with child and family welfare, including Professor Marwa Kedwany, Rapporteur of the National Council for Women in Assiut and Member of the House of Representatives; Professor Reham El-Meligy, Dean of the Faculty of Early Childhood Education; Professor Wafaa Maher, Vice Dean for Community Service and Environmental Development; Sheikh Sayed Abdel Aziz, Secretary-General of the Egyptian Family House – Assiut Branch; Father Amos Basta, Assistant Secretary-General of the Egyptian Family House – Assiut Branch; Dr. Ali Seddiq, Director of the General Human Rights Protection Unit in Assiut Governorate; Ms. Walaa Massoud, Director of the General Child Protection Unit in Assiut; Mr. Mohamed Abdo, Rapporteur of the National Population Council in Assiut Governorate; Mr. Hesham Mohamed, Director of the Child Protection Sub-Unit in West Assiut District; Ms. Noha Milad, Deputy Director of Al-Salam Modern School for Kindergarten and Primary Education; Dr. Sahar Badr, Social Worker at Martyr Ahmed Fayez Girls' Secondary School; Mr. Yasser Mohamed, Social Worker at the Assiut Child Protection Unit; and Ms. Rasha Zeidan and Ms. Fatma Attia, teachers at Nasser Military Secondary School in Assiut.
Professor Mohamed Adawy explained that the workshop addressed a number of key topics aimed at strengthening child protection against all forms of abuse and harassment. He stressed the importance of raising children's awareness from an early age—particularly during the kindergarten years—while promoting positive communication between parents and children and developing children's personal safety skills to help them respond appropriately to different situations.
For his part, Professor Ali Kamal Maabed noted that creating a safe environment for children requires increasing awareness across institutions. He emphasized the importance of implementing preventive policies within educational institutions and strengthening monitoring, follow-up, and rapid intervention mechanisms to respond effectively to suspected cases of abuse or harassment.
Participants also underscored the importance of coordination among institutions concerned with child protection, particularly the National Council for Women, the Egyptian Family House, and educational institutions. They stressed the need to implement awareness programs targeting families, recognizing them as the first line of defense in protecting children and promoting a culture of prevention throughout society.
Dr. Asmaa Gaber Mehran presented the workshop's key recommendations, which included expanding awareness programs on children's rights and protection mechanisms in schools, families, and the media; strengthening early detection and rapid intervention systems within educational and healthcare institutions; providing safe, confidential, and accessible reporting channels for children; offering continuous psychological and social support services for child victims of abuse; enhancing coordination among education, health, social protection, and legal authorities; and developing digital awareness platforms for children and parents to promote a culture of prevention and increase public awareness of children's rights.
