The Ministry of Social Development and Family has organised a training porgramme on the rights of persons with disabilities.

The programme covered the topics related to the reproductive health of people with disabilities and preparing a crisis plan for this group in times of war and conflict to ensure the provision of the necessary protection and support for them in times of emergency.

The event was held in cooperation with the United Nations Human Rights Training and Documentation Centre for South-West Asia and the Arab Region, and the UN Human Rights Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa.

The programme addressed the importance of enhancing the capacity of participants to integrate reproductive health and the rights of persons with disabilities into relevant strategies, policies and programmes.

It also focused on the importance of continuous education and training for health-care workers about disability and how to provide facilities to address the reproductive health needs of persons with disabilities, and providing complete medical forms for disability cases.

This is in referring to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which stipulates the rights of persons with disabilities to enjoy legal capacity on an equal basis with others, and that they have the right to marry, form a family and access to reproductive health care.

In this context, Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Social Development and Family Maha Hamad Al Attiyah, said that this training programme was very important in a way that it addressed key issues for persons with disabilities.

She said that the knowledge and skills acquired by the participants in this training will contribute to enhancing their experience in dealing with important issues.

“We at the Ministry of Social Development and Family appreciate and commend the fruitful cooperation with our partners in the United Nations and Arab organizations and bodies concerned with the rights of persons with disabilities,” said Al Attiyah.

For her part, Director General of the Arab Organization for Persons with Disabilities, Jahda Abou Khalil, stressed the importance of addressing important issues, including services provided to persons with disabilities, especially with regard to reproductive health and how to develop them in a way that ensure the rights of persons with disabilities.

Amid problems faced by many persons with disabilities around the world from poor social and economic conditions, especially in light of conflicts, wars and disputes; it is necessary to develop plans and training programmes to protect their rights following international human rights standards.

In this regard, Chairperson of the International Disability Alliance and Chairperson of the Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities Nawaf Kabbara said that the training programme addressed the reality of persons with disabilities in cases of epidemics and conflicts, how to deal with them, and the role of ministries, government institutions, civil society, and organizations for the rights of persons with disabilities to ensure the greatest possible intervention that protects them in these circumstances.

This training programme is an important opportunity to exchange experiences and expertise related to the category of people with disabilities, which receives great attention from the Ministry of Social Development and Family.

This is also part of the state’s priorities within the framework of Qatar National Vision 2030 and the National Development Strategy.