Damascus, (SANA) The Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor on Sunday launched its strategic plan for 2026–2028, aimed at ensuring fair and effective access to the social protection system and promoting decent work and economic empowerment for those able to participate in the labor market.
The strategy, launched during an official event held at the Damascus Opera House, seeks to empower women and expand their economic and social participation while protecting them from violence and discrimination.
It also aims to promote social and economic integration of returnees, improve governance, modernize institutional performance, and advance digital transformation across the ministry’s services.
The strategy includes implementation programs for the ministry, its affiliated institutions, and partner entities, focusing on serving and organizing various social groups.
These include children—particularly orphans, those deprived of family care, and children at risk—along with women supporting households, individuals affected by poverty or violence, the elderly, persons with disabilities, poor families, displaced people, war-affected communities, and young job seekers.
The programs will be implemented in cooperation with civil society organizations, charitable associations, local community initiatives, the private sector, and employers.
Minister’s remarks
Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Hind Kabawat said that the strategy represents a new direction in social policy thinking and practice.
She noted that the plan aims to establish comprehensive social safety nets and strengthen the protection system as an integrated policy that safeguards human dignity and ensures access to the most vulnerable groups.
Kabawat stressed that social work cannot succeed without the collective efforts of all components of society.
She added that the diversity of Syrian society represents a source of strength for institutions and provides a strong foundation for successful development and economic initiatives.
Dialogue sessions during the launch
The launch event included two dialogue sessions focusing on social responsibility and the balance between business owners and workers, as well as cooperation among economic actors.
Participating ministers presented their ministries’ experiences in providing social services and proposed several initiatives aimed at improving the sector and supporting the objectives of the strategy.
Strategic significance
Projects outlined in the plan represent a practical embodiment of the ministry’s policy orientation and signal a shift toward a more integrated and effective approach to managing the social and labor sectors.
They also provide a foundation for phased and systematic implementation designed to establish sustainable reform and strengthen the ministry’s ability to fulfill its national role in protecting society, empowering individuals, and supporting stability and development.
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