President Dr Mohamed Muizzu and First Lady Sajidha Mohamed have reiterated the Maldives’ commitment to advancing the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities, in separate messages shared on the occasion of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, celebrated annually on 3 December.

In his post on X, President Dr Muizzu emphasised that building a society grounded in dignity, equality, and accessibility remains a central priority of his administration. He highlighted several initiatives undertaken this year, including the creation of more than 300 employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and the introduction of a national action plan to strengthen disability rights. The President also noted the launch of a specialised teacher-training programme aimed at enhancing support for students with special educational needs (SEN).

The President stressed that the Government remains committed to addressing structural and social barriers faced by the disability community, improving physical access to public spaces, increasing access to information, and ensuring meaningful economic participation.

First Lady Sajidha Mohamed, in her message on X, celebrated the strength, achievements, and potential of persons with disabilities. She emphasised that the Maldives is working towards ensuring equal opportunity, dignity, and the ability for every person to thrive, calling for collective efforts to eliminate everyday barriers faced by the community. She added that supporting persons with disabilities should be considered a shared responsibility and a point of national pride.

According to national census data, around 7 per cent of the Maldivian population, approximately 25,000 people, live with a disability, with more than 15,000 individuals currently registered with the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA).