Economic Empowerment for People with Disabilities: A Priority, Says Maya Morsi

Dr. Maya Morsi, Minister of Social Solidarity, along with Dr. Abdel Aziz Qenswa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Jawhar Nabil, Minister of Youth and Sports, inaugurated the sixth edition of the “Khatwa 2026” employment forum organized by the Dream Foundation. The event was held under the auspices of several ministries including Social Solidarity, Communications and Information Technology, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Labor, and Youth and Sports.

The opening ceremony was attended by notable figures such as Dr. Hala El-Said, Economic Advisor to the President and former Minister of Planning and Economic Development; Engineer Margaret Saroufim, Deputy Minister of Social Solidarity; Zina Tawkil, Executive Director of the “Able to Differ” Fund; Dr. Ziad Bahaa El-Din, Chairman of Alexandria Bank; Rams Maher, co-founder and CEO of Dream Foundation; and other representatives from various sectors supporting the empowerment of people with disabilities.

The “Khatwa 2026” forum serves as a specialized platform for inclusive employment aimed at enhancing economic opportunities for people with disabilities. It seeks to enable them to secure jobs that match their skills and capabilities, thereby facilitating their active participation in the labor market and achieving economic independence. The forum featured participation from over 40 multinational companies and leading Egyptian institutions, alongside more than 2,500 qualified individuals with disabilities from across the country.

During the event, Dr. Morsi and her fellow ministers toured the forum’s exhibits. Dr. Maya Morsi expressed interest in presentations regarding job opportunities offered by participating companies along with insights into required skills in the job market. She also listened to inspiring success stories that highlight the positive impact of inclusive employment in creating sustainable job opportunities.

Dr. Morsi conveyed her happiness at participating in an event that embodies one of Egypt’s core values: that true development cannot be achieved without including all citizens without exception. She emphasized that every individual has a right to a fair opportunity that enables them to work and realize their potential.

She reaffirmed that individuals with disabilities possess talents and competencies deserving opportunities free from barriers, aiming to be full partners in development efforts. Consequently, her ministry prioritizes economic empowerment for this demographic based on directives from President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi who has made support for people with disabilities a consistent approach for Egypt over recent years.

Furthermore, she highlighted a memorandum of understanding signed between the “Able to Differ” Fund and Dream Foundation as a significant step toward establishing an integrated system starting from skill development to providing decent job opportunities that ensure genuine integration into the labor market.

Dr. Morsi noted that “Khatwa 2026” exemplifies successful partnerships among state institutions, private sector entities, and civil society organizations—partnerships believed to be crucial for achieving sustainable impact across every governorate for young people with disabilities. She expressed gratitude towards Dream Foundation for its continuous efforts in supporting inclusion and empowerment as well as acknowledging the role played by the “Able to Differ” Fund.

In his remarks, Dr. Abdel Aziz Qenswa reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment towards its citizens as emphasized by President El-Sisi who stated: “The primary wealth of this country lies in its human resources—especially our children with special needs.” He praised their remarkable successes which reflect Egypt’s resilience against challenges.

Dr. Qenswa described signing a cooperation protocol between the “Able to Differ” Fund and Dream Foundation as fundamental in translating strategic visions into actionable programs encompassing specialized vocational training while ensuring supportive working environments during initial employment stages.

He announced ongoing awards for Egyptian universities excelling in supporting students with disabilities encouraging them to enhance their programs aimed at this group while stressing that inclusion is one measure among many reflecting institutional quality standards.

The forum also witnessed honoring numerous partners along with individuals with disabilities acknowledging their achievements across various fields.

On the sidelines of Khatwa’26 employment forum, Dr. Maya Morsi alongside Dr. Abdel Aziz Qenswa and Jawhar Nabil officiated a memorandum signing between “Able to Differ” Fund and Dream Foundation aiming at launching comprehensive collaboration frameworks supporting training and employment initiatives across all governorates which align with national efforts towards social integration.