Bahrain Highlights Disability Inclusion at IPU Parliamentary Women’s Forum
MP Zainab Abdulameer Khalil, member of the Bahrain Parliamentary Division delegation, highlighted Bahrain’s experience in promoting and empowering persons with disabilities through equal opportunities, inclusion and enhanced participation.
She made the remarks during the first session of the Parliamentary Women’s Forum, held under the theme “Inclusive Social Development for All: Parliamentary Strategies to Promote the Rights and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities” from a gender perspective.
The session was held as part of the 153rd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, from October 5 to 9.
The meeting was attended by Jamal Mohammed Fakhro, First Deputy Chairman of the Shura Council and Head of the delegation; Hala Ramzi Fayez, Shura Council member and Deputy Head of the delegation; and MP Ali Saqr Al Doseri.
MP Abdulameer said Bahrain’s legislative authority has translated its approach into legislative and institutional frameworks, notably Law (74) of 2006 on the Care, Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities.
The law provides a framework for the care, rehabilitation, empowerment and inclusion of persons with disabilities across various areas of life. She also highlighted the efforts of the Higher Committee for the Care of Persons with Disabilities in supporting relevant policies and programmes.
She added that the legislative authority has supported equal opportunities and non-discrimination while following up on national policies aimed at enhancing the effective participation of persons with disabilities and expanding their opportunities in education, employment and public life.
MP Abdulameer stressed that inclusive social development requires more than removing barriers facing persons with disabilities. It also requires recognising how these barriers can affect women and men, and girls and boys, differently.
She particularly highlighted women and girls with disabilities, who may face overlapping challenges related to disability and gender, affecting their access to education, employment, economic independence, public participation and services.
She emphasised that parliaments have a role extending beyond legislation to assessing its actual impact on different groups, ensuring public policies are free from direct and indirect discrimination, and monitoring equitable and effective access to services and programmes for women and girls with disabilities.
She said true inclusion is achieved when rights are not only guaranteed in legislation but can also be exercised in practice on an equal basis and contribute to improving people’s lives.
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