Doha: The Ministry of Social Development and Family affirmed its commitment to implement national strategies, plans and policies related to persons with disabilities, as well as working on increasing society’s awareness on 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 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.
She added 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. It includes several projects, the most important of which is the modernisation of legislation, laws and social programmes, including projects for persons with disabilities aimed at building an enabling environment for them in all aspects.
Qatar has adopted and implemented many policies and programmes to enable persons with disabilities to live with dignity and independence, including the population policy 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 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. This is in addition to promoting its participation in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sports activities.
