The founder of “Mothers of Egypt” stated that protecting children from harassment begins with awareness within the home and extends to strict supervision within schools.
El Gisr – Exclusive
Abeer Ahmed, founder of the “Mothers of Egypt” Union for Advancing Education and the Parents’ Coalition, stated that the repeated cases of child harassment, especially at a young age, are a real alarm that requires urgent action from families, society, and educational institutions together to protect children from any psychological or physical abuse.
She highlighted that children in early age groups are among the most vulnerable to harassment due to their lack of awareness and inability to distinguish between right and wrong behavior. She emphasized that primary prevention starts at home by building a strong trust relationship between the child and their parents, allowing the child to express any experiences without fear or hesitation.
Abeer Ahmed pointed out that one of the most important protective tools is early awareness for the child about their body boundaries in a simple way appropriate for their age, instilling the concept that their body belongs to them alone and no one has the right to touch them without their consent, regardless of the degree of relationship or closeness.
She stressed the importance of training children to say no and ask for help, instilling the idea that remaining silent about any suspicious behavior is not bravery but may expose the child to greater risks. She emphasized the need to listen carefully to children and take any complaints or feelings of discomfort seriously, without downplaying or frightening them.
Ahmed added that continuous monitoring of children’s behavior and psychological state is a key line of defense, noting that sudden changes in temperament, such as excessive fear, isolation, or sleep disturbances, can be warning signs requiring immediate attention and careful intervention by the family.
Regarding the role of schools, she stated that educational institutions bear direct responsibility in protecting students, especially in early grades, stressing the need to carefully select supervisors and staff who work with children, following strict standards related to competence, behavior, and psychological safety due to the sensitivity of this age group.
She explained that stricter supervision in schools is no longer optional but essential, including installing surveillance cameras covering all areas where children are present, with genuine and active monitoring rather than merely symbolic installation.
The founder also emphasized that enforcing discipline within schools, quickly addressing any reports or complaints, activating the roles of school administration, social and psychological specialists, and maintaining continuous communication with parents are all essential elements for creating a safe educational environment.
She concluded that educating children does not mean instilling fear but providing them with the knowledge that protects them. Protecting children is a shared responsibility that starts at home, extends to school, and can only be achieved through the integrated roles of families, educational institutions, and society.
