Egypt marked World Children’s Day on Thursday with a call for renewed national and global commitment to children’s rights, as senior officials and United Nations leaders gathered in Cairo under the theme “My Day. My Rights.” and Egypt’s national focus “Journey of Self-Development.”
The event, held in Cairo, brought together government representatives, UN agencies, development partners, and dozens of children. Speakers stressed that children must be recognized not only as beneficiaries of services, but as active participants whose voices shape policy.
UNICEF: Children’s rights must be made real
Addressing the ceremony, Natalia Winder-Rossi, UNICEF Representative in Egypt, said World Children’s Day is “not just another celebration, but a call to action to make children’s rights real—every day, for every child.”
She reminded attendees that November 20 marks the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history, and underscored the need to turn its principles into practice.
Winder-Rossi highlighted statements collected from children across Egypt, illustrating their priorities: quality education, access to clean water, vaccination, protection from harmful practices, and freedom from discrimination.
“These are not slogans,” she said. “They are the daily realities of children in classrooms, homes, and villages across the country.”
Progress acknowledged, challenges remain
The UNICEF official praised Egypt’s ongoing reforms in child wellbeing, including efforts to expand education, healthcare and early childhood development. She cited national initiatives such as 'Bedaya' , launched under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, and commended the support of Mrs. Entissar El Sisi for girls’ empowerment.
She also recognized the work of the National Council for Childhood and Motherhood (NCCM), led by Dr. Sahar El Sonbaty, for advancing child protection policies and combating harmful practices.
Yet Winder-Rossi warned that global challenges are intensifying. According to UNICEF’s new State of the World’s Children 2025 report, 412 million children worldwide live in extreme poverty, while nearly 900 mn face severe deprivation of basic needs.
“Poverty is not inevitable, and children’s rights are not negotiable,” she said, urging countries to invest with “the urgency this moment demands.”
UN Resident Coordinator: Children are rights-holders
In her remarks, UN Resident Coordinator in Egypt Elena Panova said children must be recognized as rights-holders whose experiences and aspirations should directly inform national policies.
She highlighted Egypt’s progress under Vision 2030, citing Haya Karima, expanded health and nutrition services, early childhood development investments, digital learning initiatives, and social protection programs such as Takaful and Karama.
“We will not achieve the Sustainable Development Goals without investing in children,” Panova said. “Every SDG—from education and health to gender equality and climate action—depends on fulfilling child rights.”
Panova also warned that climate change, economic uncertainty, digital risks, and conflict are placing unprecedented pressure on children globally, but reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to support Egypt in strengthening systems for health, education, protection, and social policy.
A call for collective action
Both UN officials underlined the need for sustained partnership with government, civil society, the private sector, and children themselves.
“Let’s stop saying children are the leaders of tomorrow—they are already shaping our world today,” Winder-Rossi said, calling for decisions that prioritize children in laws, budgets, and national planning.
As the event concluded, she thanked children for their courage and participation, adding: “Let this World Children’s Day be a milestone—a collective step forward so every child can say: This is my day. These are my rights. I am seen, I am heard, and I belong.”
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