Social Affairs Ministry showcases comprehensive achievements in 2025 under Dr Al-Huwailah’s leadership

Within an institutional framework that reinforces sustainable development and enhances the efficiency of government performance, the Ministry of Social Affairs announced a comprehensive package of achievements accomplished during 2025 under the leadership of Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah.

In a report issued on Thursday, the Ministry said the achievements reflect a clear vision aimed at modernizing the social work system, improving service quality, and strengthening governance and transparency across its various sectors.

The report highlighted a year marked by administrative and legislative reforms, community initiatives, development programs, expanded service automation, and enhanced regional and international engagement, reports Al-Rai daily.

The Ministry affirmed its commitment to meeting citizens’ needs –particularly those of vulnerable groups –while strengthening community partnerships in line with national development plans and sustainable development goals.

On administrative and financial performance, the Ministry and its affiliated entities obtained ISO 9001:2015 certification, implemented quality management systems, adopted a new organizational structure, and completed appointments to leadership and supervisory positions.

Governance frameworks were enhanced through new regulatory bylaws and standardized testing for financial and administrative controllers.

The disability care system was updated through the launch of the Kuwait Disability Guide in line with international standards, alongside the completion of service projects and the implementation of training and rehabilitation programs to raise employee efficiency.

To strengthen public engagement, the Ministry allocated weekly days for direct meetings with citizens, exempting persons with disabilities and the elderly from prior appointment requirements.

Response times to complaints and inquiries were accelerated, and surprise field visits were conducted across departments, shelters and affiliated entities to directly assess performance and address challenges.

The Ministry also successfully concluded its debt relief campaign for the third consecutive year, easing the burden on Kuwaiti families, while reducing processing times for medical procedures and committee reviews at the Public Authority for Disability Affairs.

In the area of community partnerships, the report highlighted several awareness initiatives, most notably the “This Is Your Role” campaign, which saw wide participation from school students.

The Ministry also documented the social welfare sector’s development through the publication of “The Humanitarian Journey of the Social Welfare Sector (2020–2024).”

Internationally, Kuwait strengthened its standing through chairing regional and international meetings of GCC ministers of social affairs and development, organizing related events in 2025, and relaunching the Kuwait Award for Creativity for Persons with Disabilities.

The Ministry also organized international forums in cooperation with the United Nations and the World Health Organization focusing on women, disability and sustainable development.

Kuwait further participated in the preparation of national reports and UN Universal Periodic Review sessions related to children, women and persons with disabilities, while hosting high-level side events at international conferences in partnership with UN and Gulf agencies and academic institutions. A proposal to establish an annual Gulf Women’s Day was also submitted.

On the legislative front, the report noted key reforms, including merging the responsibilities of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs and abolishing the Social Development Office to enhance performance and expand social and psychological services.

It also highlighted progress on the draft Cooperative Work Law to curb corruption, updates to disability-related legislation to enhance rehabilitation and labor market integration, and the review of social protection laws, including those related to domestic violence.

In digital transformation, the Ministry upgraded its electronic portal to replace paper-based procedures, automated financial payments for cooperative and charitable sectors, and enhanced oversight through electronic transfers.

Approximately 40 services were launched on the “Sahel” application, a smart fingerprint attendance system was introduced, and cooperative societies were linked to the Ministry’s central monitoring system around the clock.

The report concluded that these achievements collectively strengthen institutional performance, enhance transparency, and reinforce the Ministry’s role in advancing social development and community well-being in Kuwait.