Qatar affirmed its keenness to adopt and implement many policies and programmes to enable persons with disabilities to live in dignity, stressing that the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities are guaranteed in accordance with the constitution and the law.

This came in a statement delivered by Director of the Family Affairs Department at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs Najat Daham al-Abdullah at the 12th session of the Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which started on Tuesday at the UN Headquarters in New York.

Najat Daham al-Abdullah referred to the national legislation issued by Qatar which guarantees the right of persons with disabilities to legal protection, social insurance, housing, work, health, psychological and social care, higher education, sports and culture.

She pointed out that social welfare institutions played a major role in caring for and protecting persons with disabilities and providing them with various services to enjoy their rights with independence and dignity and to ensure their effective participation in all areas of life.

Director of the Family Affairs Department said that Qatar has adopted and implemented many policies and programs to enable people with disabilities to live in dignity and independence, including Qatar's Population Policy issued in 2009 which aims to enable them to actively participate in social and public life.

She explained that the protection sector strategy is linked to the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030 and is integrated with the National Development Strategy 2011-2016 and the Second National Development Strategy 2018-2022.

The protection sector strategy, she said, includes several projects, the most important of which are the modernisation of legislation, laws and social programmes, including projects for persons with disabilities which aims to build an enabling environment for them in all aspects.

She also referred to the Qatari Cabinet's recent approval of a draft decision establishing the National Committee on Women, Children, the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities Affairs under the chairmanship HE the Minister of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs, noting the efforts exerted by the Ministry through the Family Affairs Department, which is responsible for developing and implementing programmes and services for the care and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, educating the community about their rights, training those who provide services to them and developing an integrated database that contribute to the implementation of the national strategies and plans.

The Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs and related institutions carry out a wide range of activities and programs aimed at the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, as 100 persons with disabilities were employed in government jobs, in addition to their participation in home projects to reach entrepreneurship and labor market efficiently and effectively, she added.

Director of the Family Affairs Department at the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs affirmed the Ministry's keenness to develop the services provided to these persons and to develop legislation and laws governing the services provided to persons with disabilities through co-operation.

Related Story