Italy honors Sheikha Intisar Al-Sabah with prestigious Order of Merit
The prestigious Commander distinction recognizes her outstanding humanitarian contributions in mental health, trauma recovery, women's empowerment, and promoting a culture of peace.
The Italian Republic has awarded Sheikha Intisar Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic in the rank of Commander, one of Italy’s highest civilian honors, in recognition of her outstanding humanitarian, social and community contributions.
The distinction, conferred by Italian President Sergio Mattarella, recognizes Sheikha Intisar’s sustained commitment to supporting vulnerable communities, empowering Arab women and promoting mental health, human dignity and peaceful coexistence.
Speaking to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Saturday, Italian Ambassador to Kuwait H.E. Lorenzo Morini said the honor reflected Sheikha Intisar’s generous and unwavering dedication to helping people facing difficult social circumstances. He highlighted her humanitarian initiatives, leadership and commitment to advancing the status of Arab women, describing her as an inspiration and an influential figure in Kuwaiti society and the wider international community.
The award ceremony was held on Friday at an event celebrating Sheikha Intisar’s humanitarian journey and her continuing efforts to promote women’s empowerment, psychological well-being, human values and a culture of positivity and peace.
Ambassador Morini said the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, established in 1951, is Italy’s highest national order of merit and is awarded to Italian and foreign personalities for exceptional contributions to society and humanity. He added that the Italian Embassy was proud to be associated with the occasion, which also reflected the strong humanitarian and cultural ties between Kuwait and Italy.
A central part of Sheikha Intisar’s humanitarian work is the Intisar Foundation, which she established to support Arab women affected by wars and violence. The foundation provides specialized psychological recovery programs based on drama therapy, helping survivors overcome trauma, rebuild self-confidence and regain the ability to lead stable and fulfilling lives.
In a statement to KUNA, Sheikha Intisar expressed pride and gratitude for the Italian Republic’s recognition, describing the honor as both an important milestone and a renewed responsibility to continue serving humanity. She said meaningful and lasting change begins with individuals and that building peaceful, stable societies requires investment in mental health, personal capabilities and people’s belief in their own worth and potential.
She emphasized that humanitarian work goes beyond providing assistance, involving efforts to empower individuals and equip them with the tools to overcome challenges, restore confidence and realize their abilities. Sheikha Intisar added that the recognition also highlighted the international reach of humanitarian initiatives originating in Kuwait, particularly those advancing women’s empowerment, psychological recovery and a culture of peace and positivity.
She thanked Italy for the distinction, saying it would encourage her to continue promoting compassion, cooperation and a more humane future for coming generations. Her community initiatives include Al-Nuwair, which she founded in 2013 to promote positive thinking and constructive social behavior in Kuwait.
The initiative has since expanded into a broader development platform covering community development, education, health, business sustainability and environmental protection, in line with the objectives of Kuwait Vision 2035.
Al-Nuwair has also focused on developing women’s leadership capabilities through programs such as Women of the Future, which aims to strengthen self-confidence, decision-making, communication and leadership skills. Its latest program saw 35 participants graduate after completing a four-month training course.
The initiative also supports children and young people through activities promoting human values and social responsibility. Among its notable projects is Football for Humanity, launched through international and diplomatic partnerships, including cooperation with the Italian Embassy in Kuwait.
The initiative’s first edition carried a message of solidarity with Palestinian children, using football to promote cooperation, respect, tolerance and responsibility while encouraging safe and positive sporting environments for young people.
Through these initiatives, Sheikha Intisar has sought to extend the impact of humanitarian work beyond individual programs, focusing on empowering people, strengthening communities and building a more inclusive and compassionate society.
