Cairo: The Fifth Regional Conference of the Arab Forum of Women with Disabilities (AFOWD) commenced in Cairo, with Kuwait and other Arab countries engaging in discussions to review the Beijing+30 process and the Arab Disability Decade initiatives. The conference aims to address issues faced by women with disabilities and develop strategies to advocate for their rights.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Director General of the Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities (AOPD), Jahda Abou Khalil, emphasized that the conference is not merely a meeting but a platform to assess the progress under the Arab Disability Decade and Beijing+30. It aims to evaluate commitments made and examine cultural, social, and political challenges that restrict women's participation. The event also serves as a workshop to propose practical solutions and realistic policy proposals while strengthening solidarity and renewing commitments.
Director of Development and Social Policies at the Arab League's Social Affairs Sector, Tareq Al-Nabulsi, highlighted the conference's role in bringing together groups addressing both international and Arab dimensions. He noted that this collaboration is facilitated by the League, in cooperation with the International Disability Alliance, the Arab Gulf Programme for Development (AGFUND), and the Arab Organization of Persons with Disabilities. Al-Nabulsi also pointed out the difficult conditions faced by women in Gaza and Sudan, emphasizing the need for plans and policies to support interventions for persons with disabilities.
President of the International Disability Alliance (IDA), Nawaf Kabbara, remarked on the major challenges in the region, noting that the IDC has successfully integrated the rights of women with disabilities into its core framework. He called for stronger human rights advocacy, especially for women in Gaza and Sudan, and expressed hope that the conference will empower women with disabilities and enhance their presence across various domains. Kuwait's participation was marked by a delegation headed by Director General of the Public Authority for Disability Affairs, Dr. Dalal Al-Othman.