Ministry of State for Youth Affairs’s Undersecretary Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah

National strategy underway to combat social, youth challenges

KUWAIT: Ministry of State for Youth Affairs is working on a national vision and a strategy to counter the challenges facing the society, especially young people, a senior official said yesterday. The ministry is being guided by the elevated Amiri initiatives and His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah’s keenness and infinite care for youth, Ministry Undersecretary Sheikha Al-Zain Al-Sabah added in a statement.

Sheikh Al-Zain noted that people under 34 form up to 72 percent of the Kuwaiti population. The formation of the ministry coincided with the spread of negative phenomenon that affected the youth, she said, referring to issues like violence and drugs.

The senior official reiterated eagerness to help young people promote their skills and make the best use of their spare time for their own good as well as the society’s. According to Sheikha Al-Zain, the average age of the ministry staff is 27 years, among the lowest worldwide, which was cited Secretary-General’s Envoy on Youth in several occasions.

The ministry has recently completed the biggest survey in Kuwait’s history, tackling youth views on a host of issues like housing, education, work and citizenship, she said. By the same token, the ministry is planning to launch three studies and surveys to analyze the share of Kuwaitis under 34 in the state budget and how it is distributed, Sheikha Al-Zain said.