Doha, July 23 (QNA) - The Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF), in cooperation with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MOCI) and Qatar Tourism, launched the second edition of its annual Purple Saturday initiative, which offers exclusive discounts, promotions, and services for people with disabilities.

The initiative, held on the last Saturday of July, aims to improve access to services for people with disabilities while strengthening collaboration between the public and private sectors. Participating businesses and institutions will provide special offers from July 25 to August 1. Beneficiaries can access the offers through the initiative's digital card, available via the Ministry's digital platform.

Purple Saturday is part of a broader Gulf initiative to promote the inclusion and empowerment of people with disabilities. It was first introduced in Saudi Arabia in 2021 before expanding to several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, reflecting a shared commitment to inclusion, equal opportunities, and accessibility.

Assistant Undersecretary for Family Affairs at the Ministry of Social Development and Family, Maha Hamad Al Attiyah, said the initiative demonstrates Qatar's commitment to protecting the rights of people with disabilities and fostering a more inclusive society.

She noted that it supports the Ministry's "From Care to Empowerment" strategy, which focuses on promoting independence, raising awareness of disability rights, improving accessibility, and strengthening partnerships in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.

Director of the Community Care Department, Reem Al Ajmi, said the initiative aims to expand partnerships that improve the quality of life of people with disabilities and encourage their participation in everyday life, describing it as an example of effective cooperation between government entities and the private sector.

Assistant Undersecretary for Consumer Affairs at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Hassan bin Sultan Al Ghanim, noted that the Ministry is working to encourage greater participation by businesses and commercial establishments to expand the range of offers available to beneficiaries. He called on companies to continue supporting the initiative as part of their social responsibility.

Director of Festivals and Events at Visit Qatar, Ahmed Al-Binali, stated that Visit Qatar is supporting the initiative for the second consecutive year as part of its commitment to making Qatar a more inclusive and accessible destination.

He added that hotels, retailers, and tourism facilities are participating by providing tailored offers and services, while the Qatar Toy Festival is offering free entry to people with disabilities throughout the event. (QNA)