Egypt

Background

Tens of thousands of children live on the streets of Cairo, and of these a growing number are girls, many of them victims of abuse. They have very limited access to healthcare, and give birth in the street. One Egyptian NGO, Hope Village Society, opened a shelter to house them in 2005. MdM supports this NGO to strengthen its expertise in providing care to these young mothers and improve their access to reproductive health care, while at the same time setting up a network of NGOs working with this population.

Karte China

Access to reproductive health care

»ACTIVITIES
As well as providing medical equipment and training the shelter personnel, a mobile unit has improved access to primary health care and health education for children on the streets. A collection of medical practices, specially adapted for situations on the streets or in the shelter, has been drawn up. Training in different health issues, such as reproductive health, has been provided to “street children leaders”, to women’s associations and to a network of NGOs. A public hospital in Cairo has started specific consultations for street children.

»OUTLOOK
The project finished at the end of 2008. MdM will continue its work for three years, overseeing a project promoting the rights of street children, including better access to healthcare. The issue of physical and psychological violence that these children face will be one of the first issues to be addressed.