Aspire to Innovate (a2i) and Friendship Inclusive Citizenship has organized a daylong training program on “Disability and Digital Inclusion” for 25 prominent journalists of national popular media held at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) on Monday.
As the chief guest, Ayesha Tahsin Khan, senior director of Friendship, discussed the disability project activities in northern chars of Gaibandha and Kurigram districts in Bangladesh including the global practices and prevalence in the session, according to a press release.
She said that people with disabilities living in the northern parts are hard to reach, while climate impacted chars of Bangladesh regularly face multiple challenges, including stigma, discrimination and lack of access to basic need-based services.
Due to cultural and social norms, people with disabilities are often ostracized and seen as a burden on their families and communities.
As a result, people with disabilities in the northern chars of Bangladesh find it challenging to maintain dignified livelihoods, access education, and participate in community activities. To address these challenges, inclusive development initiatives are essential, she added.
Morsalin Nomani, president of Dhaka Reporter's Unity (DRU), was present as the special guest at the certificate giving ceremony.
Ahmed Toufiqur Rahman, assistant director of Friendship, said that the training event aimed to improve the capacities and skills on reporting disability issues in Bangladesh and equip the journalists with basic knowledge of disability issues, needs and rights of persons with disabilities and the importance of their inclusion in all sectors for ensuring sustainability.
The sessions were conducted by a2i National Consultant Vashkar Bhattacharjee, Friendship Netherlands Director Betteke de Gaay Fortman, Friendship AGM Nusrat Zerin, Team Leader Abu Mohammad Shihab and Technical Lead Nusrat Zerin.
The sessions were interpreted in sign language by Arafat Sultana Lata.
The disability project of Friendship is supported by the donor agency “InekeFeitzStichting” and Friendship Netherlands is working to improve the living conditions and situation among families of persons with disabilities and change the behaviour of community people towards them.