For the first time in the Maldives, the Ministry of Gender, Family and Social Services is to establish a center specialized for disability management and rehabilitation.

In her address in commemoration of the International Day of Disabled Persons on Thursday, Gender Minister Aishath Mohamed Didi stated that the main purpose of celebrating the day is to encourage an ambiance that allows disabled persons to equally and fully engage in the society as much as other individuals do. Further, it encourages the work to enhance such opportunities for disabled persons.

The day is celebrated annually since 1992, on December 3 and this year’s theme revolves around the theme “Build Back Better: towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-Covid-19 world by, for and with persons with disabilities”.

Shedding light on this year’s theme, the minister stressed that disabled persons and their families have been facing a lot of social and economic challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In light of this Minister Didi noted that the government has been working to resolve the issues facing these families and the efforts are still ongoing.

As such, the government has acknowledged the troubles facing such families and established a system through which said problems may be resolved, which has been in effect since the beginning of April.

She further noted that although the public’s focus regarding disabled persons has increased, the disabled community is still facing a lot of challenges in being able to participate in the society.

With the establishment of a ‘Disability Management and Rehabilitation Center’, a lot of the challenges facing disabled persons as well as children will be solved as the services will specially be catered for them under a single roof.

In her address, the minister also touched down on the priority the incumbent administration of Ibrahim Mohamed Solih gives to ensure and promote the rights of disabled persons.