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 The Ministry of
Social Development and UNDP signed a project document today to
develop two national strategies; the National Childhood Strategy and
the National Strategy for Persons with Disabilities. The agreement,
which comes as a result of thorough discussions with different
stakeholders, including government and non-government institutions,
was signed by H.E. Dr. Fatima Al Balooshi, Minister of Social
Development and Mr. Sayed Aqa, UNDP Resident Representative in
Bahrain at a formal ceremony at the Ministry of Social Development
premises. Also present at the signing ceremony were representatives
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance.
On the occasion, Mr. Aqa congratulated the government of the Kingdom
of Bahrain for signing the Conventions on the Rights of Child, and
the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Mr.
Aqa stated that “this project is a clear indication of the
commitment of the government of Bahrain to further the
implementation of the Kingdom’s obligations towards these two
important human rights related conventions”. He added that
“Disability NGOs and NGOs working on Childhood issues will be
actively involved throughout the development of both these
strategies. The Childhood strategy will be developed in close
collaboration with UNICEF while all other relevant UN agencies,
including the UN Office of High Commission for Human Rights, will
support the development of strategy for persons with disabilities.”
H.E. Dr. Fatima Al Balooshi stated that “the fundamental purpose of
the two Strategies will be to improve the promotion and protection
of human rights of persons with disabilities and of children in
Bahrain”. Such a project will provide guidance limited not only to
government, but to the non-governmental organizations (NGOs),
private sector, professional groups, educators, advocates and other
members of civil society regarding the priorities that need to be
accomplished to ensure that the human rights of persons with
disabilities and children are effectively observed and realized.
According to the terms of the agreement, UNDP and the Ministry will
co-finance the project to a total cost of USD380,000. It is planned
that both strategies will be finalized by March 2011.
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