Empowering the next generation: Girls of the Maqattam garbage settlement

Abstract

This booklet describes the income generation and social development activities for female adolescents living in a garbage community on the outskirts of Cairo Egypt. The activities were implemented by the Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE) a secular nongovernmental organization that managed a composting plant in Maqattam and initiated a variety of social development activities. The Health and Development Committee coordinates health literacy and income generation programs. APE aims are to ameliorate the unhealthy living conditions among the Maqattam residents and to achieve higher productivity from the traditional recycling process. Currently 70% of garbage collecting households in Maqattam are engaged in one or more activities sponsored by APE and its affiliates. 33% of all households directly benefit from APE activities. The original charter recognized the importance of targeting adolescents. About half of all Maqattam households include an adolescent girl. These girls are among the most vulnerable groups in Cairo. They suffer from anemia fatigue and low social status but must maintain high productivity. Adolescent girls in Maqattam have low levels of education despite the national mandate of universal schooling. The law stipulates that enrollment is required by age 8 years or formal education is forfeited. 44% of Maqattam children aged 6-11 years are working. 22% of all children combine work and schooling. 66% of boys and 59% of girls aged 12-14 years are working. 88% of working girls are engaged in garbage collection and sorting. APE income generation activities redirected work to rug-weaving patchwork and paper recycling. Nine lessons learned are identified. It is stated that literacy and girls social and economic progress are linked to productivity and that girls must be trained in human development skills as well as income generation skills.