The government has facilitated employment for 350 persons with disabilities during the current term, according to Dr Aishath Shiham, Minister of Social and Family Development.
In a statement marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, observed annually on 3 December, Minister Aishath Shiham said the occasion underscores a collective responsibility to uphold rights and strengthen empowerment for the disabled community. She described persons with disabilities as a demographic requiring heightened social protection, noting that safeguarding their rights is fundamental to building a compassionate society and resilient family structures. These efforts, she added, remain a central objective of the current administration.
Pointing to the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the minister characterised the initiative to secure employment opportunities as a vital and deliberate policy decision, intended to advance inclusivity and reinforce social progress. Reflecting on the past two years, she credited collaboration as the primary driver of success and outlined priorities for service improvement, including robust systems for early detection and treatment in childhood, income‑generating pathways for capable school‑leavers, and essential life skills training. She stressed that inter‑agency cooperation will be indispensable in ensuring effective implementation.
This year’s observance carries the theme “Fostering disability‑inclusive societies for advancing social progress”, calling for greater participation of persons with disabilities within the broader community.