In 2023, the Ministry of Social Development and Family achieved several successes and tangible attainments at the local and global levels, within the framework of achieving the Qatar National Vision 2030 and consolidating the foundations of the comprehensive renaissance movement in the country.

The Ministry of Social Development and Family is leading ministry in supporting families and promoting social development, as it has implemented numerous programs and projects to improve social care and enhance family support. The Ministry has also launched community participation initiatives, particularly vital projects and initiatives that are in line with Qatar Digital Government projects and national development strategic plans. 

The elderly and people with disabilities

The State of Qatar, represented by the Ministry of Social Development and Family, assumed the presidency of the forty-second meeting of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, and Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family headed the delegation of the State of Qatar in the coordination meeting of the Ministers of Social Affairs of the Cooperation Council for the Gulf Arab States.

The Ministry also hosted Arab brotherly countries to discuss ways to enhance the rights of persons with disabilities and address multidimensional poverty.

Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family also led the delegation of the State of Qatar in the side event at the 16th session of the Review Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which is an international mechanism aimed at reviewing this convention and presenting the positions of countries related to national policies for the inclusion of persons with disabilities. This took place in United Nations Headquarters in New York City, USA.

Her Excellency the Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs opened the “With My Talent, I Create My Power” exhibition for people with disabilities, in cooperation with the Shafallah Center and the Msheireb Administration, in conjunction with the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The exhibition included paintings and handicrafts created by people with disabilities, in addition to recreational activities, with the aim of integrating and empowering them in the society and spreading awareness among community members of the importance of providing support to talented people from this category.

Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family made an inspection visit to the Ministry's Assistive Technology Center "Mada", where she briefed on the center's strategy, and discussed future projects with the center's work team, especially with regard to empowering people with disabilities.

In appreciation of the elderly, people with disabilities, and beneficiaries of the social security services, the Ministry, in cooperation with the “Seashore” group, launched the “Taqdeer” initiative to serve the elderly, widows, divorcees, and people with disabilities in their homes.

The Ministry signed a memorandum of understanding with the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies to activate cooperation on issues of common interest including training, studies and social research, and a memorandum of understanding with the National Human Rights Committee, with the aim of developing and enhancing cooperation between them and benefiting from the capabilities of both parties.

From homeland to homeland

The Ministry of Social Development and Family organized an exhibition of national productive projects “From the Homeland” in cooperation with the Center for Empowerment and Care of the Elderly “Ihsan,” for elderly female members of the “Ihsan” Center, at the Wadi Musheireb Street.

The Ministry also participated in the National Productive Projects Exhibition “From the Homeland” in both the Qatar University Winter Event “Faza 33” and the Qatar Batabit Show 2023 competition in the Katara Cultural Village. 

The Ministry’s Family Empowerment Department, launched a strategic partnership with the delivery services company “Sununu” in the presence of Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family, with the aim of linking home projects from the homeland with customers in a convenient and effective way, and to promote the development of the economy and the flourishing of the spirit of entrepreneurship and to support national productive projects “from the homeland”. 

 In addition to the Ministry’s contribution through its support to project owners by providing stores for products, managing, marketing, and delivering them to customers through the “Sununu” company.

The Ministry participated in the ninth edition of the “Made in Qatar” exhibition, which was organized by the Qatar Chamber in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry at the Doha Exhibition and Convention Center, with the aim of presenting the Ministry’s initiative in supporting home-based entrepreneurs and promoting them to the entrepreneurs level.

20 thousand beneficiaries

The Social Affairs Sector at the Ministry of Social Development and Family achieved record numbers in all the services provided during 2023, as the number of social security beneficiaries reached 19,918 persons, and the Ministry continued to implement its ambitious plans and programs by assisting 132 individuals to get jobs, and the number of beneficiaries of social security assistance (maid Allowance) reached 7,407 people, and the number of people with disabilities whose in needs were met according to disability category, estimated at 222 people.

The number of beneficiaries from the elderly and people with disabilities programs reached 73, and the number of services provided to the elderly and people with disabilities reached 65 services.

Similarly, the Ministry of Social Development and Family achieved steady growth in the number of housing applications, as 283 applications, out of 486 were approved for those who met the conditions, and the number of transactions referred to municipalities to issue building permits reached 102 transactions, and 16 homes were inspected for maintenance, demolition, and reconstruction. The number of housing applications for eligible persons was estimated at 379, and the number of transactions transferred to the Development Bank reached 225 transactions, while the number of furniture allowance beneficiaries reached 311 people, and the number of associations that were incorporated reached 20 associations.

Rights of the Child 

Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family also chaired the 42nd session of the Council of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, during the regional conference on prevent grave violations against children in armed conflict, which Qatar hosted in coordination with the League of Arab States and the Office of the Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Children and Conflict.

Under the patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family opened the “Qatar Social Responsibility Conference and Exhibition”, which was held at Qatar University, attended by representatives from various sectors in the country.

The Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development Affairs headed the delegation of the State of Qatar to the Sixth High-Level Arab Conference on the Rights of the Child, where he stressed in his speech that the State of Qatar pays great attention to the promotion and protection of children’s rights as a priority in its development plan.

He also headed the delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the activities of the Second Ministerial Conference for Social Development in the Member States of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which was hosted by the Arab Republic of Egypt.

The Ministry continued to implement its ambitious plans and programs, through introductory workshops that targeting the Ministry’s employees or the public, in a way that contributes to creating a safe and conducive work environment that promotes hard work, diligence and achievement.

Regarding the children protection in armed conflicts, Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family headed the State of Qatar’s delegation participating in the Oslo International Conference, which was held in the Norwegian capital, Oslo.

Family values

The Ministry organized a forum entitled "The Role of Education in Building the Society", on the occasion of the celebration of International Literacy Day, with the aim of highlighting the importance of eradicating illiteracy for individuals and societies.

On the other hand, the Ministry of Social Development and Family signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Defense with the aim of developing cooperation and benefiting from the capabilities of both ministries.

The Ministry of Social Development and Family also concluded its participation in the Gulf Family Forum 2023, titled: “The Contemporary Gulf Family between Challenges and Aspirations,” which was held in the Sultanate of Oman to discuss the challenges, aspirations, and Gulf family values and their impact on raising a more productive generation to invest in future opportunities.

The Ministry of Social Development and Family has also participated in the “Qatari Population Day 2023” event, organized by the Permanent Population Committee, during which the Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development Affairs delivered a speech stressed that the Ministry’s endeavor to address the phenomenon of widespread divorce by building an effective social protection system.

The Ministry, represented by the Department of Social Protection, implemented social programs for juveniles that included religious programs, such as memorizing the Qur’an and lectures. The beneficiaries of religious programs are 141 sports programs, 124 artistic programs such as drawing, engraving, handicrafts, 141 as well as office lesson and cultural programs 141 people.

Family Affairs Sector: 320 elderly people meet Her Excellency in a friendly meeting

The Ministry's 2023 plans remarkably developed, as the Ministry launched many activities and events, the importance of the family was the core of most of these activities, it focused on how to develop and empower the family. In this regard, Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family led the delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the First Arab Exhibition for Productive Families in Cairo. She conducted a site tour through the exhibition, which witnessed remarkable Qatari popular representation that reflected in the participation of 28 Qatari families.

The Ministry organized an event on the occasion of the Arab Women’s Day, in cooperation with the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies, Qatar Charity, and “Aman” Center, 

The Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs headed the delegation of the State of Qatar participating in the Forum implementing the “Second Arab Decade for Persons with Disabilities 2023-2032” held in the sisterly Republic of Tunisia. Among the most key achievements in this regard was the signing of a cooperation document with the Ministry of Labour in the presence of Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family, His Excellency the Minister of Labour, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Qatar Manpower Solutions Company “Jusour” for employing people with disabilities. The Ministry excreted considerable effort on providing job opportunities for people with disabilities, to that purpose an agreement was signed with “Jusour” Company to implement advanced training programs, raise youth competencies, and stimulate innovation and entrepreneurship through the national productive projects “From Homeland”.

In the social field, Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family sponsored a meeting in Wefaq Center hall in the presence of approximately 320 of “Ehsan” employees, in a ceremony held in cooperation with “Ooredoo” company.

The Ministry of Social Development and Family is the first ministry to participate in Expo 2023 Doha Park by celebrating the “Family Day” in Qatar, during which it inaugurated the values of tolerance within the “Instill Value” campaign with the participation of His Excellency the Minister of Municipality and Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family, during a group breakfast with families and the elderly at the headquarters of Expo 2023 Doha Park.

The slogan of the campaign was “The bramble tree”, where the value of tolerance derives its authenticity, and calls for forgiveness and not to respond to abuse with similar act, and make sure to adhere to the high morals urged by our true religion. In the same context, the Ministry organized an awareness-raising activity for children about the value of tolerance and the importance of family cohesion through their participation in planting a group of seedlings in the soil market at Qatar Foundation.

The Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs led the delegation of the State of Qatar to the first meeting of the Permanent Committee for Women’s Affairs in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which was held in the sisterly Sultanate of Oman.

Her Excellency confirmed that the Ministry of Social Development and Family seeks to integrate people with disabilities into all aspects of comprehensive development, in her speech delivered at the opening of the Second National Forum for Human Rights: “Human rights of people with disabilities... protection... empowerment.”

She visited the National Autism Center in the Sultanate of Oman, in order to enhance the exchange of expertise and experiences between the two brotherly countries in the field of persons with disabilities rehabilitation.

The Ministry of Social Development and Family witnessed the launch of an introductory workshop on the International Accreditation Authority for rehabilitation institutions, which is considered the highest international accreditation for rehabilitative social services facilities.

The Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs also organized the final workshop of a series of technical workshops aimed at raising the efficiency of services for people with disabilities, in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, in the presence of a delegation from the League of Arab States.

The Ministry of Social Development has represented the State of Qatar in the 43rd session of Arab Ministers of Social Affairs, where the meeting discussed issues and topics of common interest, most notably the elimination of multidimensional poverty in Arab countries, the rights of persons with disabilities within the framework of the sustainable development plan, and topics related to the elderly. The meeting also discussed the support to social projects in member states and discussed member states’ reports on the support provided to social projects.

“First Year of Marriage” Program

The Ministry has launched the national program for intending spouses, “First Year of Marriage,” which aims to support emerging families to reach to a stable and successful family life and reduce divorce rates in the State of Qatar, in partnership with the Family Consulting Center “Wefaq” and the Sports and Social Activities Support Fund “Daam.”

The program is considered a comprehensive social movement that follows the slogan raised by the Ministry, “Qatar is strong through the cohesion of its families.” The program aims to support emerging families, enhance their stability, and provide the necessary family services to build healthy marriage.

Within the activities of the “First Year of Marriage” program, the Ministry, in cooperation with the “Wefaq” Center and the “Daam” Fund, organized a lecture entitled “The First Year of Marriage: A Marathon or a Trip?” which was presented by Dr. Jassim Al-Mutawa, in the presence of Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family. At the end of his lecture, Dr. Jassim Al-Mutawa conveyed a message to newlyweds and intending spouses. The Ministry also organized, within the program, a lecture titled “First Aid” which was presented by Dr. Ayoub Al-Ayoub.

“WITID” service

The Ministry launched “WITID” service for family consultation, which is provided by a number of specialists in education, family and psychological fields.

International Relations

The Ministry has also adopted a policy of consolidating international relations in social affairs, as Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family visited a number of family and social centers concerned with children and people with disabilities care in the sisterly Kingdom of Morocco.

Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family also welcomed the Minister of Social and Family Development, the Second Minister of Health and the Minister Responsible for Muslim Affairs of the Republic of Singapore. During the meeting, the two countries activated the cooperation agreement in the field of family cohesion and social protection, and discussed the ways to strengthen bilateral relations.

Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family led the State of Qatar’s delegation participating in the Budapest Demographic Summit in Budapest- Hungary, under the slogan “The Family is the Key to Safety.”

The Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development Affairs headed the Ministry’s delegation to the 42nd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Education, Sciences and Culture Organization (UNESCO).

Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family met with His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the State of Qatar. During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance and develop bilateral relations between the two countries in the fields of social development and family.

Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family also met with His Excellency the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen and develop bilateral relations between the two countries in the fields of social development and the family.

The Assistant Undersecretary for Social Development Affairs represented the delegation of the State of Qatar in the 24th meeting of the committee of their Excellencies and senior housing officials of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which was held in Muscat, Oman.

Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family headed the delegation of the State of Qatar to the 21st meeting of their Excellencies the Ministers concerned with housing affairs in the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council countries, which was held in Muscat, Oman.

To enhance cooperation between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Azerbaijan, Her Excellency the Minister of Social Development and Family met with His Excellency the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the State of Qatar. The meeting discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries in the fields of social development and family and how to consolidate them in the coming period.