AMMAN: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah affirmed on Thursday that supporting the Palestinian people is a firm Arab duty and not merely a humanitarian obligation. Her remarks came during a speech delivered at the 45th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, which opened earlier in the Jordanian capital, Amman, with wide Arab participation. Dr Al-Huwailah stressed the importance of strengthening joint Arab action to develop more effective social and humanitarian support programs that help mitigate the impact of crises and enhance the resilience of societies in exceptional circumstances.
She said Kuwait, in line with the directives of its political leadership, places great emphasis on strengthening the social protection system, supporting the most vulnerable groups, and consolidating the principles of social justice and social cohesion. Kuwait, she added, has worked to advance social work and human development by modernizing legislation, expanding social protection coverage, supporting empowerment programs, developing social services and digitizing their delivery to ensure efficiency, ease of access and sustainability, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
AMMAN: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah delivers a speech at the 45th session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs in the Jordanian capital, Amman, with wide Arab participation. Dr Al-Huwailah stressed the importance of strengthening joint Arab action to develop more effective social and humanitarian support programs that help mitigate the impact of crises and enhance the resilience of societies in exceptional circumstances.- KUNA photos
Dr Al-Huwailah noted that Kuwait’s approach is reflected in its humanitarian and relief assistance to Palestine, Yemen and several other countries in need, provided through the Kuwait Red Crescent Society and other charitable organizations, reaffirming the country’s longstanding humanitarian commitment. She also highlighted Kuwait’s efforts to update legislation related to persons with disabilities, shifting from a care-based model to one focused on empowerment through inclusive education and rehabilitation. She said the Public Authority for Disability Affairs oversees service quality and ensures their suitability to the needs of beneficiaries and the nature of their disabilities.
Dr Al-Huwailah further pointed to initiatives aimed at empowering the elderly by integrating their services into government digital platforms, offering awareness programs and mobile services, providing health and social support, and enhancing their inclusion in cooperation with civil society organizations. She noted that vulnerable groups benefit from assistance under the Public Assistance Law, including cash aid, rent allowances and emergency support, alongside economic empowerment initiatives such as the “From My Own Earnings” project and the “Boutique 33” incubators, which aim to transform social assistance beneficiaries into productive families.
She emphasized that Kuwait is a leading country in the field of social security through the Public Institution for Social Security, which plays a vital role in ensuring a dignified life after retirement, in cases of disability or death, and in protecting the rights of workers and retirees, thereby promoting social justice and economic stability, particularly for the elderly. Dr Al-Huwailah stressed that strengthening Arab coordination in social development is a cornerstone for building a future worthy of Arab peoples and enhancing the regional and international standing of Arab states. She affirmed Kuwait’s continued readiness to actively contribute to joint Arab efforts to address challenges and advance social development for a more prosperous future for the Arab nation. — KUNA
