The Faculty of Mass Communication at Ain Shams University hosted a training session for the national program "Mawadda" (Affection), dedicated to preserving the structure of the Egyptian family, as part of the "Bidaya" Initiative. The event was held under the auspices of Prof. Dr. Mohamed Ayman Ashour, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Dr. Maya Morsy, Minister of Social Solidarity; Prof. Mohamed Diaa Zain El-Abedeen, President of Ain Shams University; and Prof. Heba Shaheen, Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication. Administrative supervision and general coordination were overseen by Mr. Ibrahim Said Hamza, Assistant Secretary of the University for Education and Student Affairs.

This training aligns with the presidential "Bidaya" initiative, implemented under the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, aimed at preserving the Egyptian family unit by raising awareness among young individuals preparing for marriage. The program seeks to equip them with the skills and experiences necessary for building stable families while developing mechanisms for family support, guidance, and conflict resolution to reduce divorce rates.

Prof. Heba Shaheen welcomed the participating students, praising the "Mawadda" initiative as a significant step in supporting young generations and empowering them to make informed decisions for building stable familial futures. She emphasized the importance of the initiative as an effective tool for enhancing societal stability by increasing young people's awareness of their roles and responsibilities within the family.

Assistant Lecturer Ms. Mai Zayed from the Faculty of Mass Communication, a certified trainer for the Mawadda program, focused on several key aspects, including social and psychological dimensions such as the concept and objectives of marriage, criteria for selecting a life partner, primary causes of marital issues and scientific methods for resolving them, principles of positive parenting, and the management of family economic resources.

The training also addressed the health and medical aspects of family life, including pre-marital medical care, the appropriate age for marriage and childbirth, and the importance of spacing between births.

Additionally, the program emphasized religious aspects, including the definition of marriage in both Islam and Christianity, its objectives, the concept of engagement and its rulings, and the mutual rights and duties of spouses.

The Mawadda project was initiated in 2017 following an announcement by the Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) highlighting a significant rise in divorce rates. In response, President El-Sisi directed the launch of the Mawadda national project to address this issue and enhance the stability of Egyptian families.

The program targets raising awareness among youth aged 18 to 25, equipping them with essential life skills for building cohesive families based on constructive dialogue and mutual respect. It also aims to educate young people about marital rights and duties to help contain conflicts and maintain balance within the family.

These efforts reflect Ain Shams University's commitment to supporting presidential initiatives that aim to develop society, elevate youth awareness, and shield them from social challenges.