Ministry of Qatar Social Development and Family Affirms Keenness to Implement Strategies Related to Persons with Disabilities

Doha, March 22 (QNA) - The Ministry of Social Development and Family affirmed its work to implement national strategies, plans and policies related to persons with disabilities, as well as working on increasing society's awareness of family and social challenges and issues, their effects, and ways to prevent them. On the occasion of the World Down Syndrome Day, Director of Family Affairs Department at the Ministry of Social Development and Family Najat Daham Al Abdullah said in a press statement that the national legislation issued by the State of Qatar guarantees persons with disabilities the right to legal protection, social security, housing and work, as well as health, psychological and social care, higher education, sports and culture, adding that social welfare institutions played a major role in the care and protection of persons with disabilities, providing them with various services in order to enjoy their rights with independence and dignity and ensuring their effective participation in all areas of life. She pointed out that the protection sector strategy is linked to the objectives of Qatar National Vision 2030, and integrated with the National Development Strategy 2011-2016 and the Second National Development Strategy 2018-2022, as it includes several projects, the most important of which is the modernization of legislation, laws and social programs, including projects for persons with disabilities aimed at building an enabling environment for them in all aspects. The State of Qatar has adopted and implemented many policies and programs to enable persons with disabilities to live with dignity and independence, including the population policy of the State of Qatar issued in 2009, which included a goal stipulating enabling this group of society to participate effectively in social and public life, she explained. Najat Daham Al Abdullah also pointed out that Qatar ratified Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2008, and it has taken many measures and procedures in this context in order to protect and promote the rights of this group and its full integration into society, secure its participation in decision-making and ensuring that it has access to employment opportunities that suit its health conditions, in addition to promoting its participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sports activities. In her statement, Director of the Family Affairs Department at the Ministry of Social Development and Family said that the ministry is keen to develop services provided to this category of society and developing legislation and laws regulating the provision of services for persons with disabilities, noting the effort made by the ministry through the Department of Family Affairs, which is specialized in developing and implementing programs and services necessary for the care and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, raising awareness and educating the community about their rights, training those involved in providing services to them, and developing an integrated database and information that contribute to the implementation of national strategies and plans directed at them. She commended the efforts of the Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities in their care and integration of people with disabilities into society, affirming the joint and close cooperation between the ministry and the center in the implementation of many future events and projects that would effectively contribute to the integration and empowerment of persons with disabilities in society. (QNA)