Latest news with #AmthalAl-Huwailah
Kuwait Times
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Ministry supports initiatives aimed at helping the disabled
KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah reaffirmed on Wednesday her commitment to supporting initiatives and programs aimed at improving the quality of life for persons with disabilities and ensuring their full inclusion in society. In a statement to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) following her meeting with United Nations Secretary-General's Representative and Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Ghada Al-Taher and President of Kuwait College of Science and Technology Dr Khaled Al-Beqaeen, the minister emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation to advance social development and promote inclusive services. KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwaila with the UN Secretary-General's Representative and Resident Coordinator in Kuwait Ghada Al-Taher and President of Kuwait College of Science and Technology Dr. Khaled Al-Beqaeen.- KUNA photos The meeting discussed enhancing partnerships between the ministry, the college, and the UN office in areas related to social development and collaborative projects. Discussions also touched on the Ministry's sponsorship of the Second International Technology Conference and Forum for People with Special Needs, which aims to leverage innovation in support of accessibility and empowerment. Dr Al-Huwailah added that the parties also explored potential coordination on the sidelines of the upcoming 11th Ministerial Conference of the Committee of Ministers of Social Affairs and Development of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), scheduled to take place in Kuwait in September. She reiterated the ministry's commitment to fostering joint action that advances the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and supports broader regional development goals. — KUNA
Arab Times
30-06-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
Hope For The Helpless: Kuwait Cares For Children Without Parents
KUWAIT CITY, June 30: Minister of Social, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah confirmed that the ministry prioritizes protecting the rights of children and raising family awareness through the implementation of a set of integrated programs based on the principles of comprehensive care and in line with international agreements on the rights of the child. In a statement to the newspaper, Al- Huwailah touched on the most important programs in the Social Care Sector at the Ministry of Social Affairs; such as the Family Foster Care Program that aims to care for children of unknown parentage by integrating them with alternative families according to social and psychological regulations that ensure a safe and supportive family environment. She also cited the Alternative Mother Program being implemented in childcare centers. She revealed the program includes the provision of maternal love and care through specialized supervisors who act as mothers to provide daily psychological and social support to children residing in the centers. She said the Juvenile Care and Rehabilitation Program, implemented by the Juvenile Care Department, aims to protect children from delinquency and rehabilitate them through educational, skills, religious and psychological initiatives that enable them to return to society as good individuals. She affirmed that the department plays a crucial role in protecting children from delinquency; not only through intervention after the problem occurs, but also through proactive preventative programs targeting at-risk groups in society. She added that these programs include awareness campaigns for families and schools, and workshops to promote positive values and behaviors through the Psychological and Social Counseling Program for Children and Families offered by the Psychological and Social Counseling Center. She revealed the program consists of counseling services, early intervention, and psychological support for children at risk or experiencing psychological difficulties, in addition to mental health programs. She confirmed the implementation of family awareness and education programs, including a series of workshops and lectures conducted by the Awareness and Counseling Department, in order to spread the culture of positive parenting and preventing domestic violence.
Kuwait Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Kuwait introduces new rules for licensing and dissolving charities
KUWAIT: The Ministry of Social Affairs has introduced new rules to better regulate charitable organizations, known locally as mabarat. The regulation, published Sunday in the official gazette Kuwait Al-Youm, was enacted under Ministerial Decision No. 122 of 2025 by Minister of Social Affairs and Minister for Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah. It aims to strengthen oversight of charitable foundations in Kuwait to ensure transparency, accountability, and lawful operation. The regulations set out to establish clear rules and procedures for the creation, management, and supervision of charitable foundations, including registration requirements, governance standards, fundraising controls, financial reporting, and enforcement measures to prevent misuse and ensure transparency. The law also outlines conditions under which a charitable foundation can be dissolved. These changes come at a time when all charitable fundraising in Kuwait has been put on hold since mid-April. The suspension followed the discovery of unauthorized donation campaigns running through unofficial websites and accounts. The ministry explained that this pause is necessary to protect donors' money and ensure full transparency. Fundraising will remain suspended until the new regulations are fully in place. Under the new rules, charitable foundations must follow strict legal steps to register and operate legally. This includes mandatory registration with the Ministry of Social Affairs, clear governance structures, financial reporting, and strict controls over fundraising and public activities. One key requirement is that no person or group may carry out charitable work or make agreements on behalf of a mabara without official registration and approval from the ministry. Foundations must also get permission before moving locations, opening new branches, or asking the public for donations. The rules clearly state: 'It is prohibited for any applicant to carry out any charitable or social activity except after the foundation is officially registered.' Anyone who breaks this rule risks suspension. 10 Kuwaiti founders To register a mabara, there must be at least ten Kuwaiti founders, each at least 21 years old, with a clean legal record regarding honesty and trust. Board members must be at least 30 years old and have at least a diploma-level education. Founders must also deposit KD 10,000 into a bank account under the foundation's name. Additional approvals are required from security agencies, Kuwait Municipality, Fire Force, and the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Social Affairs now has the authority to supervise registered foundations closely. Ministry officials can inspect any mabara at any time without prior notice and review their financial and operational records. If violations occur, foundations may face fines, suspension of their accounts, or even complete closure. If a foundation does not fix problems within a week after being notified, the ministry can freeze its bank accounts. Serious repeated violations, hiding financial information, or failing to submit reports for two years could lead to the foundation losing its legal status or being dissolved by the government. Foundations can be shut down if they fail to keep the minimum number of members, cannot meet financial responsibilities, stray from their mission, or remain inactive. In such cases, the ministry appoints a committee to manage the foundation's assets, which will eventually return to the ministry to support other approved causes. This bylaw is part of a larger effort to improve transparency and align Kuwait's charitable sector with international standards against money laundering. A report by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) last November praised Kuwait's legal improvements but stressed the need for stronger enforcement. Kuwaiti authorities have increased cooperation across ministries to better track donations, especially those crossing borders, and to shut down inactive organizations. Additionally, the ministry is working on a new digital platform linked to the Mobile ID system earlier this year to streamline charity applications and monitor aid distribution. So far, more than 30 foundations have been dissolved for inactivity or failing to meet requirements.
Arab Times
22-06-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
New regulations for charities
KUWAIT CITY, June 22: The official gazette 'Kuwait Al- Youm' published Decision No. 122/2025 issued by the Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs, Dr. Amthal Al-Huwailah, concerning the issuance of regulations for charitable foundations, reports Al-Seyassah daily. The regulations include the following provisions: Chapter One - Definitions and General Provisions Article 1: Minister: Minister of Social Affairs Ministry: Ministry of Social Affairs Administration: Department of Charitable Societies and Foundations Law: Law No. 24/1962 regarding clubs and public benefit associations, and its amendments Applicant: Any natural or legal person who submits an application to establish a charitable foundation Foundation: A charitable foundation registered in accordance with the provisions of Law No. 24/1962 and its amendments concerning clubs and public benefit associations Article 2: The founders and members of the Board of Directors of the foundation shall adhere to the provisions of Law No. 24/1962 and its amendments concerning clubs and public benefit associations, as well as its implementing decisions. They must also comply with the Labor Law No. 6/2010 regarding work in the private sector. The Model Bylaws for Charitable Endowments, issued under Ministerial Resolution No. 48/1999, shall serve as a guiding framework. Article 3: Charitable foundations subject to these regulations must comply with all regulatory directives and safety and security procedures issued by the ministry, in coordination with the relevant authorities. Article 4: The applicant is strictly prohibited from engaging in any charitable or social activity unless the foundation is officially declared under the relevant regulations and procedures. Also, the applicant may not enter into any contracts or conduct any transactions on behalf of the foundation before its formal declaration by the ministry. The foundation may not change its location, alter its specifications, or establish a branch without obtaining prior written approval from the ministry. The foundation is obligated not to solicit or invite donations from the public in any form without first securing the ministry's approval. Chapter Two - Provisions and Procedures for Charity Publicity Article 5: The following conditions must be met for the official publicity and registration of a charitable foundation: The number of founders must not be fewer than ten. All founders must be at least 21 years old at the time of submitting the publicity application. Each founder must be a Kuwaiti citizen of good conduct, with no prior conviction of a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude or dishonesty. Candidates for membership on the charity's Board of Directors must be at least 30 years old at the time of their selection. Security clearance must be obtained, with no security objections to the foundation's publicity. All necessary approvals must be secured from the relevant official authorities for licensing the charity's operation, including from Kuwait Municipality, Kuwait Fire Force, and the Real Estate Registration Department at the Ministry of Justice. The founders or their authorized representatives must submit a bank certificate confirming a deposit of KD 10,000 in the name of the charity at a local bank. Article 6: The procedures for publicizing a charitable foundation shall include the following steps: 1. An application for the publicity of the charitable foundation shall be submitted by the founders or their authorized representatives. The application must include a formal statement expressing the founders' intent to establish and publicize the foundation in accordance with the provisions of the law. 2. The following documents must be attached to the application: Two copies of the foundation's bylaws, prepared in accordance with the model bylaws for charitable foundations. Minutes of the founders' meeting, including the election of the foundation's Board of Directors and an official letter authorizing one of the founders to represent them in all publicity-related procedures. Copies of valid civil ID cards for all founders. 3. Upon completion of the application, the ministry shall coordinate with the Ministry of Interior to obtain security clearance for the founders. 4. The application shall then be submitted to the ministry's Publicity Committee for initial review and approval. 5. The ministry shall contact the relevant government entities - Kuwait Municipality, Kuwait Fire Force, and the Real Estate Registration Department at the Ministry of Justice - to secure the necessary operational licenses and to authenticate the foundation's bylaws. 6. The concerned department in the ministry shall prepare and submit a memorandum to the minister, detailing the charity's registration request and the procedures undertaken, accompanied by a draft ministerial decision for its registration. 7. The registration decision and a summary of the foundation's bylaws shall be published in the official gazette 'Kuwait Al-Youm'. Article 7: Following publication in the official gazette, the charity shall acquire legal personality and shall be authorized to carry out activities in pursuit of its stated objectives. Article 8: The ministry reserves the right to reject the registration of a charity within one month from the date of submission of a complete registration application, provided that the reasons for rejection are clearly stated. The ministry also retains the right to amend the foundation's bylaws. The applicant has the right to appeal the decision of rejection or the proposed amendments to the minister within one month from the date of receiving the notification. Article 9: After the charity is officially publicized, it may commence its operations at its approved headquarters, provided it has obtained all necessary approvals from the relevant authorities. Article 10: The charity must display an identification plate at its approved headquarters, clearly showing the organization's name and the number of the ministerial decision by which it was publicized. Chapter Three - Management of Charitable Endowments Article 11: The endowment shall be managed by a Board of Directors composed of five to nine members, each of whom must be at least 30 years old and hold a university degree or a diploma of no less than two years following high school. Article 12: The Board of Directors shall manage the endowment under the powers and responsibilities outlined in the Model Bylaws for Charitable Endowments and the endowment's own bylaws. Article 13: The Board of Directors is required to submit an annual financial report, certified by the external auditor appointed by the endowment, along with an administrative report detailing the endowment's activities and achievements, to the ministry within the deadlines specified in the bylaws. Article 14: The Board of Directors shall establish regulations governing the endowment's operations, with particular emphasis on financial and administrative regulations. Article 15: The endowment shall open nominations for membership in the Board of Directors for a period of at least 15 days, beginning no less than one month before the end of the current board's term. This announcement shall be posted on the bulletin board at the endowment's headquarters, and registered letters with acknowledgment of receipt shall be sent to members. Article 16: The members of the endowment shall elect the Board of Directors by secret ballot, conducted under the supervision of the current Board of Directors. Article 17: The ministry shall be provided with the list of names of the newly elected Board members, under the above procedures. Chapter Four - Supervision and Oversight Article 18: The ministry shall supervise associations registered under the provisions of the law through employees of the competent administration. These employees have the right to inspect the association at any time without prior notice. They may enter the association's premises and review all records, data, and information related to the association's activities. Article 19: If it is proven that the association has violated any provisions of the law or the related decisions, employees of the competent administration shall have the authority to issue a citation against the association using the designated form. Chapter Five - Penalties Article 20: In addition to the penalties stipulated by the law or any other applicable legislation, if the association violates the provisions of the law or the related decisions, the following measures shall apply: A formal notification of the violation shall be served to the association. If the violation is not rectified within one week of notification, the charity's bank accounts will be suspended and will remain frozen until the violation is corrected. Article 21: The ministry has the right to suspend the charity's registration in the following cases: ■ The charity commits serious violations, persists in violating after the ministry's notification, or repeatedly breaches the law. ■ The charity fails to submit its financial statements and administrative reports for two consecutive years. ■ The charity conceals any financial information or data requested by the ministry, manipulates data, or deliberately provides false information intended to mislead the ministry and obstruct its oversight duties. Article 22: The Council of Ministers may, upon the recommendation of the Minister of Social Affairs, dissolve the charity in any of the following cases: If its membership falls below the minimum number stipulated in Article 5 of this law. If the charity becomes unable to meet its financial obligations. If it violates the provisions of this law or the charity's bylaws, or engages in activities beyond its stated objectives. If it fails to carry out any effective activity to achieve its objectives If dissolution is deemed necessary in the interest of public security or public welfare. Article 23: The Minister of Social Affairs may, by decision, dissolve the charity's Board of Directors and appoint an interim board or director for a specified renewable period. The appointed director shall assume the powers of the Board of Directors in the following cases: 1. Violation of the provisions of this law or the charity's bylaws. 2. If the number of board members is insufficient to hold a valid meeting. 3. If it is necessary to protect the interests of the members or the social objectives of the charity. Article 24: In the event of the association's dissolution, the minister shall issue a decision to form a committee to liquidate its assets, and specify the method of liquidation, the duration of the liquidation process, and the liquidators' fees. The term of the committee may be renewed as necessary until the liquidation is complete. Article 25: Upon completion of liquidation, the association's remaining assets shall revert to the ministry, which will determine the entity to which these assets shall be allocated.
Kuwait Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Kuwait Times
Ministers assure key essentials abundant, call to avoid hoarding
KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs Amthal Al-Huwailah and Minister of Commerce and Industry Khalifa Al-Ajeel hold a meeting to follow up on the readiness of cooperative societies and stocks of goods. - KUNA KUWAIT: The ministers of social affairs and commerce and industry on Thursday reiterated that essential commodities are available in large quantities and called on the public not to hoard food products. Amthal Al-Huwailah and Khalifa Al-Ajeel said after a meeting to assess the situation and coordination between the two ministries that 'the strategic stock of essential and basic commodities is available in sufficient quantities and that coordination between the two ministries is ongoing to ensure its continuous availability'. The two sides called on citizens and residents not to stock foodstuff or hoard them at home to avoid the risk of spoilage or improper storage, adding there is nothing to worry about as commodities are available for all. The meeting was held within the framework of activating the national contingency plan and assessing field inspections and visits to cooperative societies to ensure their complete readiness amid an intensification in the fighting between neighboring Iran and the Zionist entity. The two ministers also called on local companies and factories to accord priority in supplies to cooperative societies because they are concerned with providing and distributing foodstuff and other commodities, adding that cooperative societies work around the clock to guarantee stability in the market and meet people's dmands. Since the outbreak of hostilities, almost all ministries and departments have been making necessary preparations to ensure that the country is not affected by the fallout of the war. Meanwhile, the supreme commission for citizenship announced on Thursday that it has recommended revoking the Kuwaiti citizenship of several people, but did not release the exact number. The commission however said the revocations were due to holding third-country citizenship, obtaining citizenship by fraud and for the sake of the country's interests. Kuwait has so far revoked the citizenship of over 37,000 Kuwaitis, most of them foreign women who were naturalized after getting married to Kuwaiti men. The commission's decision becomes effective after its approval by the Cabinet.
