The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) has organized 229 capacity-building sessions for 5,501 citizens in the villages targeted within phase one of the Decent Life initiative for developing the Egyptian countryside, during the period from January 1 to February 28. The sessions were organized in collaboration with governorates’ general bureaus and Decent Life Foundation.
The sessions covered about 223 villages in 27 districts across 10 governorates: Beheira, Menoufia, Sharqiya, Kafr El-Sheikh, Fayoum, Beni Suef, Minya, Sohag, Qena and Luxor.
MCIT organizes educational sessions as part of the objectives of the Decent Life initiative and the Ministry’s efforts in building Digital Egypt to transform the countryside into a safe and productive interactive digital community. The sessions are aimed at promoting digital literacy and advancing financial inclusion in villages to raise awareness of the digital services available on different governmental platforms, covering health, education, food subsidy and utilities. The sessions also introduce citizens to the services available on Digital Egypt Platform, helping facilitate their access to services to create safe digital communities.
So far, MCIT sessions have been attended by 18,819 citizens in 57 districts in 20 governorates. In Assiut, 588 employees in the state administrative apparatus; 1,104 imams and women preachers at the Ministry of Awqaf (Endowments), and facilitators of the National Council for Women; 87 female public service representatives at the Ministry of Social Solidarity; and 66 persons with disabilities (PwDs) have been trained and qualified to use computer applications and social media platforms, using a pilot operation model.
In governorates including Sharqiya, Menoufia and Minya, 154 citizens of different groups have been equipped with computer skills, social media, and online safety, through a pilot operation model.
Decent Life is a national presidential initiative that aims to improve the quality of life, especially for citizens in unprivileged areas, through rendering a wide range of health, social, and living services. The initiative is implemented in collaboration between several entities and ministries, one of which is MCIT.
The role of MCIT in the initiative involves upgrading the ICT infrastructure, installing fiber optics cables, and building cell towers to improve the quality of telecommunication services in rural villages. MCIT also develops post offices, builds the capacities of citizens, qualifies young people to work as freelancers, and supports and equips owners of small businesses with digital marketing skills.
