The electric vehicle Hawkar, designed for people with disabilities, was created by the young Tunisian entrepreneur Khadija Jallouli. It was showcased in New York during the opening of the 17th session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COPS 17), chaired by Tunisia from June 11 to 13, 2024.
Named “Hawkar,” after the social start-up founded by Jallouli, this car is specifically tailored for people with reduced mobility to ensure their freedom of movement. It has already won the “Energy Globe Award for the 2021 edition” as well as the African Excellence Award for the most innovative and environmentally friendly cars.
Operating solely on electric energy and rechargeable at home, “Hawkar” is equipped with a driving assistance system, allowing people with reduced mobility to easily adapt to different types of physical disabilities and move freely over long distances.
Khadija Jallouli emphasized in the UN’s daily bulletin published on Thursday that her team is collaborating with various stakeholders in Tunisia and abroad to develop solutions for people with disabilities to facilitate their integration into society. “The ultimate goal is to help them live like any ordinary person, to study, work, and meet their needs without any assistance from anyone,” she added.
During this 17th conference of the States Parties to the convention on the rights of persons with disabilities, Tunisia led discussions on topics such as “international cooperation for the promotion and transfer of technological innovations for an inclusive future for all,” “persons with disabilities in situations of danger and humanitarian emergencies,” and “strengthening the rights of persons with specific needs for decent work and sustainable lifestyles.”
Additionally, Tunisian engineers have developed an intelligent wheelchair control system to further assist individuals with disabilities in their daily lives.
