President announces plans to formulate a national registry of persons with disabilities

  • The disability allowance is to be raised in the final quarter of 2022.
  • A National Registry of Persons with Disabilities is to be finalised in the final quarter of 2022.
  • The administration stands committed to its Gender Equality Action Plan.
  • A task force was formulated to combat drug addiction and the illicit narcotics trade.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Thursday, in his annual address to Parliament, announced his decision to increase the disability allowance before the end of the year. This would be achieved with the formulation of a national registry of persons with disabilities, something that has been lacking till now. The administration plans to have the registry finalised during the final quarter of 2022.

Outlining his commitment to protect the rights of disabled persons, President Solih noted that the data collected through the national registry would pave the way to improve essential services, rehabilitation and therapy provided to them. He went on to affirm his commitment to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities.

The administration had included therapeutic treatment for children and people with disabilities under the Aasandha National Health Insurance Scheme in 2019. President Solih outlined the administration’s plans to improve the status of children under state care, providing details of steps taken to ensure their safety and provide homely and familial environments through relocation to the atolls.

The administration has always been a strong advocate of gender equality. Significant strides have been made to increase women’s participation in all state and national-level engagements and to promote the economic empowerment of women. Despite the progress in reducing gender inequalities in the health and education sectors in the Global Gender Gap Index, President Solih stated that more work needed to be done on the political and economic fronts.

The administration has over the years made great strides to protect the rights of vulnerable groups, especially women and children. In this regard, President Solih revealed plans to develop three centres for victims of domestic abuse. The facilities would be developed in Hulhumalé, Ungoofaaru Island of Raa Atoll and Hithadhoo Ward of Addu City.

Combatting drug addiction and the illicit narcotics trade has also been a top priority for President Solih’s administration. As part of this undertaking, President Solih formulated a national task force, which he affirmed would employ every resource at its disposal to tackle the issue. To provide rehabilitation to drug addicts, the administration is in the process of developing a halfway house in Hulhumalé and a remand centre in Gulifalhu.

Additionally, the development of a drug treatment and rehabilitation centre in Hulhumeedhoo Ward of Addu City was recently completed. While it is set to be operationalised soon, President Solih also announced the launch of another rehabilitation programme targeting inmates.