Social Solidarity Ministry launches “Two is Enough” family planning program
The Social Solidarity Ministry has launched a EGP 100 mn “Two is Enough” family planning program, according to a Cabinet statement. The program, which will be funded through the ministry’s NGO support fund and a UN Population Fund grant, aims to curtail the birth rate by specifically targeting around 1.15 mn women enrolled in the ministry’s Takaful program. The first phase will be implemented in the 10 governorates most in need of family planning services, including Aswan, Luxor, Qena, Sohag, Assiut, Minya, Beni Suef, Fayoum, Giza, and Beheira. The program will be implemented in cooperation with 100 civil society organizations and comes as part of a government-wide effort to promote awareness on the dangers of population growth and the benefits of having a small family, according to Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Wali. The minister is set to announce further details of the program tomorrow, according to Al Mal. The Health Ministry had announced last July that it is targeting a population of 112 mn by 2030, noting that Egypt is on its way to have a population of 128 mn by 2030 if birth rates continue at the current pace.