The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has praised an initiative launched by Egypt’s Islamic Sunni Institute of Al-Azhar and the Coptic Orthodox Church against child abuse.
“This joint initiative comes at a critical time for the region where children are experiencing unprecedented levels of violence,” UNICEF Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa Peter Salama was quoted as saying in a statement by the organization’s office in Egypt.
During his visit to Cairo last week, Salama met with the Minister of International Cooperation Ghada Wali to discuss UNICEF programs, particularly the children rights programs, the statement added.
Salama met with the chairpersons of the United Nations offices in Egypt, and visited underserved areas in Cairo where UNICEF programs have been conducted. He also visited a center which helps Syrian refugees and deprived children.
On Monday, Al-Azhar and the Coptic Orthodox Church, in cooperation with UNICEF, signed a declaration statement per which NGOs and government institutions should consider the religious point of view when combating child abuse.
