In a significant stride toward economic empowerment and social inclusion, various state agencies have provided jobs to 367 persons with disabilities so far this presidential term, a figure that surpasses the total opportunities created in the preceding decade, Minister of Social and Family Development, Dr Aishath Shiham has announced.
The announcement was made by the Minister during the official launch of the National Roadmap for the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities.
The newly unveiled National Action Plan on Disability Inclusion establishes a comprehensive framework to build a more inclusive society by actively increasing the participation of persons with disabilities across all levels of public life. The Ministry of Social and Family Development emphasised that the roadmap serves as a strong foundation for this transformative effort.
Addressing the ceremony, Minister Aishath Shiham underscored that disability inclusion is now firmly recognised as a critical issue intertwined with human rights and national development.
"Empowering people with disabilities and ensuring their rights is a high priority of the government," she said, highlighting a collaborative approach that involves working directly with the disability community to promote rights, provide essential services, and create pathways for economic self-sufficiency.
The Minister outlined a life-cycle approach to support, noting concerted efforts to identify disabilities early, from conception, and to provide necessary assistance guiding individuals from early childhood to school, higher education and the workplace. These efforts, she said, are a shining example of the government's policy to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
"As per the promise of the President, one of the biggest priorities in the past two years is economic empowerment of persons with disabilities,” she said, directly linking the recent employment surge to a presidential pledge.
To prepare individuals for these opportunities, the Ministry has partnered with field experts to teach essential workforce skills. Initiatives like the Empowerment Hub are already operational, conducting targeted programmes to equip persons with disabilities with the skills needed to access and thrive in the job market.