Ministry of Gender and Family in partnership with UNICEF Maldives has commenced a basic sign language training course for social service workers on 29 January 2017. A total of 28 staff from the Ministry are participating in the first batch of this training which is scheduled to continue until 9 February 2017.
Speaking at the opening session, Minister Zenysha noted that the Ministry receives a number of cases relating to abuse and neglect towards persons with disabilities on a monthly basis. She therefore highlighted the importance of this training for the development of social service workers particularly to be able to communicate directly with persons with hearing impairment.
The Ministry will also provide the opportunity for investigation officers working at the Maldives Police Service to participate in the second batch of this training. In addition, the Ministry has invited relevant officials of Fenaka Coorperation – the state owned company which provided jobs for 100 persons with disabilities during December 2016 – to participate in this course.