Kuwait’s Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, met with the World Bank’s representative in Kuwait on Thursday to discuss enhancing collaboration on social and family-oriented initiatives. The discussions centered on expanding programs aimed at supporting women, individuals with disabilities, and broader social development efforts within Kuwait.
During the meeting, Dr. Al-Huwailah emphasized the ministry’s ongoing efforts to bolster social and family programs, working closely with associated bodies such as the Public Authority for Disability Affairs and the Supreme Council for Family Affairs. She highlighted recent progress in women’s empowerment within the ministry, noting that women currently hold 50 percent of leadership roles and 55 percent of supervisory positions. Additionally, a woman has been appointed to lead the Union of Cooperative Societies for the first time, a move the minister described as indicative of the growing role of Kuwaiti women in leadership and decision-making.
The minister also shared details of the “Partners for Their Employment” campaign, which seeks to support individuals with disabilities by promoting their integration into the labor market and ensuring equal employment opportunities. Furthermore, Dr. Al-Huwailah outlined plans for Kuwait’s inaugural family protection program, which is awaiting cabinet approval. This initiative aims to enhance the social protection framework and improve coordination among various government agencies involved in family welfare.
Azhar Iqbal Hussain, Country Manager of the World Bank Group in Kuwait, affirmed the institution’s readiness to offer technical assistance and collaborate across multiple sectors. He stated that the partnership would focus on sharing best practices and skill development to support Kuwait’s government strategies and broader development objectives.
The meeting underscores Kuwait’s commitment to advancing social welfare programs through international cooperation and targeted policy development.