Kuwait Special Olympics graduates the first cohort of women leaders with intellectual disabilities

KUNA photo Women graduates honored at Special Olympics ceremony.

KUWAIT, Oct 26 (KUNA): Kuwait Special Olympics on Monday celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of its “Women Play, Women Lead” program, an initiative launched in Kuwait to develop leadership skills among women with intellectual disabilities and empower them to participate more actively in sports and society.

The ceremony was held at the Ahmadi branch of the Kuwait Society for the Care of the Disabled, in the presence of Public Authority for Disability Affairs Director General Dr. Dalal Al-Othman and Sheikha Sheikha Al-Abdullah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah.

Kuwait Special Olympics National Director Rehab Borsli told KUNA that the program sought to strengthen participants’ personal and leadership skills through sports, promoting independence, decision-making, and self-expression.

She said the initiative featured 12 training sessions, five community projects, and five practical assignments aimed at improving participants’ planning abilities, sense of responsibility, and capacity to overcome challenges.

Borsli said the graduates had demonstrated the potential of women with intellectual disabilities to learn and achieve when given appropriate training and support. She also thanked the partner institutions and specialists who helped deliver the program.

Kuwait Society for the Care of the Disabled Director General Baraa Al-Janaei said sports played a vital role in rehabilitation, enhancing communication and social interaction, and improving quality of life.

He added that cooperation with Kuwait Special Olympics reflected a shared commitment to developing inclusive programs and improving services for persons with disabilities and their families.

Sheikha Sheikha Al-Abdullah, meanwhile, emphasized the need to support women with intellectual disabilities and ensure equal opportunities for their participation in society. She called for coordinated efforts to remove barriers and advance inclusion.

The ceremony was hosted by two people with intellectual disabilities, underscoring the importance of enabling persons with disabilities to take active roles in public events and demonstrate their capabilities.