23 April 2008

Dear Family and Friends,

Amendments to the Egyptian Child Law of 1996 were introduced yesterday to the Shura Council, one of the houses of Egyptian Parliament. The amendments include the one proposed by TFD (Together for Family Development Network), which clearly states that children with disability have the right to public education. In addition, they include multiple amendments proposed by organizations of civil society and collected by the National Council of Childhood and Motherhood to protect child laborers, street children, and girls from various forms of abuse.

In January 2008, TFD Network began work with a coalition of organizations to advocate with parliamentarians for the entire package of amendments.

We expect that some of the amendments will encounter serious debate. Based on feedback obtained from parliamentarian’s round tables and public discussion in the Egyptian media, controversial amendments include those which raise the marriage age to 18, require medical lab testing prior to marriage, implement a child abuse hotline, and ban FGM (female genital mutilation).

We covet your prayers for success in passing the amendments. The amendment package represents a significant step forward in child rights protection in Egypt.

According to the Eastern calendar, this week is Holy Week for Christians in the Middle East. Through prayer, join with us in celebrating the risen Christ who cured the lame and the blind and called the children to himself.

Happy Easter,

Nancy Collins
Companionship Facilitator
Together for Family Development Network, Egypt

The 2008 Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 324