KUWAIT CITY, Dec 9:  Assistant Foreign Minister for Human Rights Affairs, Ambassador Sheikha Jawaher Ibrahim Al-Duaij Al-Sabah, reaffirmed Kuwait's commitment to advancing disability rights in alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035 and the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Sheikha Jawaher made these remarks during the opening of the two-day workshop titled "Kuwait and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities," organized by the Foreign Ministry's Human Rights Department in collaboration with the Saud Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute. The event was held under the patronage of Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya and attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, along with other officials.

She highlighted Kuwait's progress in promoting disability rights, including the inclusion of the sign language interpreter job title in the Civil Service Commission and the launch of a law aimed at ensuring accessibility for persons with disabilities. These measures are designed to safeguard their rights and promote social inclusion.

Sheikha Jawaher emphasized that these initiatives are supported by Kuwait's political leadership, as evidenced by the Cabinet's approval of a proposal to establish the "His Highness the Amir's Award for Creativity for Persons with Disabilities."

Citing the World Health Organization's (WHO) 2023 statistics, Sheikha Jawaher noted that one in six people worldwide live with some form of disability. In Kuwait, the number stands at 68,786, with disabilities ranging from physical and visual to mental.

She also acknowledged the role of technological advancements in empowering persons with disabilities, highlighting the UNESCO/Amir Jaber Al-Ahmad Prize for Digital Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities.

Sheikha Jawaher called for a coordinated campaign in 2025, coinciding with the Global Disability Summit, to promote greater inclusion in education, employment, and leisure, ensuring a dignified and empowered life for persons with disabilities.

In his address, WHO Representative Dr. Assad Hafeez, speaking on behalf of the UN Resident Coordinator, emphasized the importance of including people with disabilities in health planning and decision-making to achieve global health goals. He commended Kuwait's collaboration with the UN to provide high-quality tools, training, and job opportunities tailored to the individual talents of people with disabilities.

UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) member, Rehab Boursli, urged intensified efforts by governments, international organizations, and civil society to implement solutions that foster self-reliance and social integration for people with disabilities, especially in the face of technological advancements.