Vice President Abdulla Jihad on Sunday urged the nation to care for those with special needs.
He made the appeal at a function held Sunday morning to confer the Disability Award 2016.
Vice President Abdulla Jihad called upon the nation to provide assistance and care for those with special needs.
He shed light on current and ongoing government projects to enhance the standard of living of those with special needs. The Vice President, however, stressed that the responsibility to care for individuals with special needs lie not only with the Government, but with society as a whole.
He also emphasised the importance of assisting those with special needs to realize and develop skills and talents, and extended his assurance that the Government would assist individuals with special needs to undertake employment in public companies and organisations.
Addressing the function, Gender Minister Zeneesha Shaheed Zaki noted the importance of prioritising efforts to provide assistance to disabled person, especially women and children. She also stressed the Government’s work to ensure equal rights are accorded to disabled persons.
The Disability Awards conferred annually by the Ministry of Gender and Family, and the Disability Council in recognition of individuals and organisations for their work in protecting the rights of the disabled.
Vice President Abdulla Jihad presented awards to individuals and organizations working to promote the rights of those with special needs.
15 individuals and organisations were conferred the award this year.
The Disability Award was first conferred in 2012.