Help 2,000 Egyptian Families Claim Health Coverage

Across Egypt, thousands of persons with disabilities face daily barriers — not only in access to services, but in navigating a fragmented system where information, coordination, and specialized support are often limited. Behind every policy and service are the professionals working to bridge these gaps — but they, too, need stronger tools, clearer systems, and continuous support.

Through El Naseh Project, we are addressing this critical challenge by leading a national effort to map services available for persons with disabilities across Egypt, while simultaneously strengthening the capacities of those at the forefront of this work — particularly staff at the National Council for Persons with Disabilities.

This intervention goes beyond data collection. It is about creating a living, accessible ecosystem of information that enables better referrals, more efficient service delivery, and stronger collaboration between stakeholders. By identifying who is providing what, where, and how, we are laying the foundation for a more inclusive and responsive system.

At the same time, we are investing in people. Through targeted capacity-building programs, council staff and service providers are gaining the knowledge and tools needed to better understand disability inclusion, improve case management, and respond effectively to the diverse needs of persons with disabilities. The focus is not only technical — but also human-centered, ensuring that dignity, rights, and empowerment remain at the core of every interaction.

This dual approach — combining system-level mapping with human capacity development — is helping transform how services are delivered and experienced. It empowers institutions to act more strategically, and equips professionals to serve with greater confidence, empathy, and impact.

In a context where inclusion is still evolving, these efforts are creating tangible change — making services more visible, more accessible, and more responsive to those who need them most.

With your support, we can expand this work across more governorates, deepen the quality of data and training, and ensure that no person with a disability is left navigating the system alone. Together, we can turn information into access — and access into opportunity.

In many marginalized communities across Egypt, accessing healthcare is not only about distance to a clinic—it is about information, confidence, and the ability to navigate complex systems. For many women, especially those with limited mobility or financial resources, the lack of digital access has become a silent barrier to their right to health.

Over the past months, Shamseya has expanded its advocacy work to focus on digital inclusion as a powerful tool for empowering women. Building on our project supported by GIZ—which strengthened gender-responsive healthcare services—we recognized that improving services alone is not enough. Women must also have the tools and knowledge to access those services safely and confidently.

During our community sessions, women shared that they often rely on word-of-mouth for health information, which can be inaccurate or incomplete. Some were unaware that certain services were available to them free of charge. Others did not know how to find reliable health information online or feared using digital platforms altogether.

Through this new initiative, we began integrating digital literacy into our right-to-health awareness sessions. Women learned how to:

• Search for trusted health information online

• Identify misinformation

• Navigate digital health resources

• Understand their entitlements within the public healthcare system

For many participants, this was their first time using digital tools for health-related purposes. What began as basic guidance quickly became something deeper—women expressed increased confidence in asking questions, seeking second opinions, and advocating for respectful treatment.

One participant shared that after learning how to verify health information online, she felt more prepared to discuss treatment options with her healthcare provider. Another explained that understanding her rights helped her overcome fear and stigma when seeking care.

Beyond individual empowerment, this initiative has strengthened local NGOs that now serve as safe spaces where women can access digital tools and continue learning. By equipping community partners with practical resources and training, we are ensuring that this impact continues beyond the life of the project.

Digital inclusion is not only about technology—it is about dignity, autonomy, and informed choice. By bridging the digital gap, we are helping women move from passive recipients of care to active rights-holders who can claim, navigate, and shape the healthcare services they deserve.

Your support makes this transformation possible.

Together, we are building a future where every woman—regardless of her background—can confidently exercise her right to health.