Adli Hussein, governor of Qalyubia, said he rejects the decision by Minister of Social Solidarity Ali el-Moselhy last February to deprive the third child in every family of subsidies.
El-Moselhi said that, as a result of this decision, having more children will no longer be advantageous when it comes to receiving assistance.
During a meeting of the Regional Population Council, the Qalyubia governor described the minister’s decision as unconstitutional. The change in subsidy policy will be problematic for the state, said Hussein, because general state policy is based on raising awareness of the dangers of overpopulation, rather than strictly limiting the birthrate.
Hussein said a distinction must be made between what he described as the foolishness of parents and a child’s right to life, even if that child is the tenth for the family. A child, he said, shouldn’t be punished for the mistake of his parents.
"I think the minister will take back his decision, that is if he hasn’t already," Hussein said, "otherwise he will have to face problems related to the unconstitutionality of his decision."
The governor said the issue of family planning should ideally be left in the hands of each governorate, each of which has its own unique conditions.
The governor suggested that any decision on family planning should steer clear of designating a specific number of children as eligible for assistance, since any such decision will deprive children of their rights and run the risk of violating the Constitution.
Hussein urged el-Moselhi to finance associations for family planning. Funds from the social solidarity directorates should be directed to those associations even if they are under the authority of other ministries, he added.
The governor also announced that civil society associations and individuals with outstanding achievements in the field of family planning will be given excellence awards every three months.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
