Egypt’s Minister of Social Solidarity Maya Morsy Saturday announced opening applications for the Ideal Mother Competition 2026 as of Sunday, January 4th till Thursday, January 22, at social solidarity directorates nationwide.
Morsy said the competition will honor several categories this year, including the Ideal Mother at the governorate level, with awards for 27 biological mothers, three foster mothers who have raised a child of unknown parentage within their families, or unmarried foster mothers and three ideal mothers of one or more persons with disabilities.
Preference will be given if one of the children has achieved international championships or has excelled in sports, scientific, or artistic fields.
The competition also includes honoring the mother of a martyr from the Armed Forces, nominated by the Ministry of Defense and Military Production and the mother of a martyr from the police, nominated by the Ministry of Interior.
This year features a new category; honorary recognition for a “Mother from Drama”, honoring an Egyptian actress with a distinguished artistic career for portraying the role of the Egyptian mother in a manner consistent with the values of Egyptian society.
Regarding eligibility criteria for biological mothers or mothers of children with disabilities, applicants must have a unique story of giving, possess at least basic literacy and have no more than three children. This condition is waived for border governorates, namely North Sinai, South Sinai, New Valley, Matrouh, Red Sea and Aswan. All children must hold university degrees or be in their final years of college, with the exception of children with intellectual disabilities who are not educable.
For mothers of children with disabilities, at least one child should be distinguished in sports, scientific, or artistic fields. Selection criteria also emphasize valuing education, with preference given to higher educational attainment, as well as working mothers, those whose husbands are ill and widowed or divorced mothers.
