Minister of Social Affairs: Developing Family Protection Services
Kuwait’s Minister of Social Affairs, Labor, and Social Development, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailan, emphasized on Thursday the importance of leveraging modern technological and digital solutions, particularly in the field of family protection and providing psychological and social support services. This statement came during a press interview with Al-Huwailan on the sidelines of a coordination meeting she chaired with Microsoft, attended by representatives from the Supreme Council for Family Affairs, to discuss ways to develop services and strengthen technological partnerships to enhance care provided to families.
Al-Huwailan stated that utilizing technological solutions to develop services ensures ease and speed of access while maintaining the highest standards of privacy and confidentiality, and providing a secure environment for beneficiaries. She clarified that cooperation with Microsoft aligns with the broader trend toward enhancing digital transformation and leveraging global expertise to develop government services, thereby raising the efficiency of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs’ operational mechanisms and meeting beneficiaries’ needs more effectively.
She stressed that technology in the field of family protection is not an end in itself, but rather a tool to bring services closer to beneficiaries, accelerate response times, and enhance both protection and privacy simultaneously.
On another note, Al-Huwailan held talks on Thursday with Montavon, Head of the Regional Delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), and Khaled Al-Mughams, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Red Crescent Society, to explore ways to strengthen cooperation and expand partnership areas in humanitarian and charitable work.
Al-Huwailan told KUNA that the Ministry of Social Affairs is keen on strengthening its partnerships with national and international institutions involved in humanitarian work, praising the pioneering role played by the Kuwait Red Crescent Society and its track record in providing humanitarian aid and relief both domestically and internationally. She added that humanitarian work represents an entrenched approach in Kuwait’s trajectory, which has played a prominent role over decades in supporting needy peoples and communities through humanitarian initiatives, aid, and contributions at both the regional and international levels.
Al-Huwailan affirmed the ministry’s readiness to support areas of cooperation and joint initiatives that contribute to developing humanitarian and charitable work and enhancing Kuwait’s presence, status, and humanitarian role regionally and internationally. She explained that during the meeting, she briefly presented the draft law regulating charitable and humanitarian work, which includes developing regulatory frameworks for charitable activities, enhancing governance, oversight, and institutional work, all of which contribute to raising the efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of the system.
For her part, Montavon expressed her anticipation to strengthen cooperation and partnerships with the Ministry of Social Affairs and to discuss opportunities and areas of joint work in the coming phase.
Facilitating Transactions for Persons with Disabilities
Minister Al-Huwailan has directed the need to expedite the issuance of educational decisions for persons with disabilities and facilitate the processing of their transactions in the shortest possible time. This directive came during an inspection visit she conducted at the headquarters of the Public Authority for Persons with Disabilities in the Hawalli Governorate, accompanied by the Authority’s Director General, Dr. Dalal Al-Othman, and several of its officials, to review operations and monitor the level of services provided to clients and beneficiaries.
During the visit, Al-Huwailan reviewed the work procedures in the Authority’s various departments and halls, as well as the processes for receiving clients and providing services, emphasizing the necessity of continuing to develop services and accelerate the processing of transactions.
