Minister of Social Affairs: Caring for the child requires providing a safe family and social environment

Kuwait’s Minister of Social Affairs, Family, and Childhood, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwail, affirmed on Monday that caring for children requires providing a safe family and social environment that supports their psychological, social, and cognitive development, alongside the development of legislation that guarantees their rights, with updating the Child Law taking precedence.

This statement was made by Al-Huwail during her speech at the opening of the Mental Health Conference and the Second Exhibition of the Ministry of Social Affairs for 2026, organized by the Awareness and Counseling Center under the slogan “Play is Life… When Play Becomes a Language for Learning and Growth,” and lasting for two days.

Al-Huwail stated that childhood is the foundation for building a person’s character and future, emphasizing that play is not merely a means of entertainment but a natural language that helps children express their feelings, discover themselves, develop their skills, and build relationships.

She added that it is crucial to enhance the awareness of families and society regarding the role of play in children’s development, and to provide an atmosphere of acceptance and support that contributes to fostering children’s sense of security, belonging, and trust.

She clarified that child care and the protection of their rights are comprehensive responsibilities that integrate awareness programs, specialized services, and effective legislation, highlighting the importance of developing the legal framework concerning childhood and listening to the views of relevant stakeholders and civil society organizations.

She noted that the Ministry is keen on supporting initiatives that promote mental health, reinforce the role of the family, and support specialists and workers in the social and psychological fields through the exchange of expertise, knowledge, and specialized practices.

Al-Huwail commended the efforts of the Awareness and Counseling Center, affiliated with the General Administration of Social Care within the Social Care and Development Sector, in organizing the conference, which includes scientific sessions, training workshops, and a side exhibition aimed at raising awareness about childhood issues.

She pointed out that partnership with civil society institutions is a fundamental pillar for achieving sustainable impact and serving the community, praising the support and partnership of the Development Charity Association in the success of this conference.

She expressed her hope that the conference would yield recommendations and practices that contribute to enhancing the quality of services provided to children and families, extending her thanks to partners, sponsors, lecturers, specialists, participating entities, and all those who contributed to the preparation and organization.

The conference features three dialogue sessions discussing “Play and Mental Health,” “Play and the Developing Brain,” and “The Family and Play,” in addition to two training workshops. The first, for parents, is titled “Play as the Child’s Language” and covers communication skills and practical applications at home. The second, for specialists, is titled “Play Therapy” and outlines the basics and techniques of psychological and behavioral intervention along with their practical applications.