Arusha:Bahrain participated in the Parliamentary Women's Forum on inclusive social development during the 153rd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania. MP Zainab Abdulameer Khalil, a member of the Bahrain Parliamentary Division delegation, shared Bahrain's advancements in empowering persons with disabilities under the directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Abdulameer made her remarks in the first session of the forum, which focused on promoting the rights and empowerment of persons with disabilities from a gender perspective. She was part of a delegation that included Jamal Mohammed Fakhro, First Deputy Chairman of the Shura Council, Hala Ramzi Fayez, Shura Council member, and MP Ali Saqr Al Doseri.
Abdulameer highlighted Bahrain's legislative efforts, specifically Law (74) of 2006, which addresses the care, rehabilitation, and employment of persons with disabilities. This law, alongside the efforts of the Higher Committee for the Care of Persons with Disabilities, underpins Bahrain's commitment to inclusion and equal opportunity.
She emphasized the importance of addressing not only barriers but also understanding how these barriers uniquely affect women, men, girls, and boys, particularly focusing on women and girls with disabilities who face compounded challenges. Abdulameer stressed the need for parliaments to go beyond legislation, assessing the impact on various groups to ensure nondiscriminatory public policies.
True inclusion, she argued, requires that rights are not just enshrined in law but are actively practiced, contributing to the overall improvement of the lives of persons with disabilities.