Bangladesh marked the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2024 with a day-long event at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), highlighting the country’s commitment to advancing disability rights and inclusion.
The Ministry of Social Welfare organized the event in collaboration with Sightsavers, UNDP SSPS Programme, and the UN Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) joint initiative to bring together key stakeholders to reflect on progress, challenges, and opportunities in creating an inclusive society for all.
This year’s theme, “Amplifying the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” that emphasises the importance of empowering persons with disabilities as leaders and changemakers.
The event saw the participation of high-level dignitaries, including Sharmeen S. Murshid, Advisor to the Ministry of Social Welfare, who served as the Chief Guest in the morning session. Lamiya Morshed, a Principal Coordinator (SDGs) at the Chief Advisor’s Office, spoke as the Chief Guest of the afternoon session. Other notable speakers included Mr. Md. Mohiuddin, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare; Gwyn Lewis, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh; and representatives from organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs), development partners, and the media.
The keynote presented jointly by Aminul Arifeen from UNDP and Ayon Debnath from Sightsavers emphasised the need for a disability-inclusive social protection framework with Bangladesh set to present its Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and participate in the Global Disability Summit (GDS).
Chief guest Lamiya Morshed, Principal Coordinator-SDGs Affairs at the Chief Advisor’s Office and Lamiya Murshed said: “The inclusion of people with disabilities in the VNR process is not only a matter of equity but also a requirement to ensure the credibility and comprehensiveness of our national report.”
“GDS in 2025 will provide a platform for countries to share their progress and renew their commitments to disability inclusion,” she added.
The Ministry of Social Welfare reaffirmed its commitment to creating a disability-inclusive Bangladesh by focusing on systemic reforms. Initiatives such as activating disability committees, appointing focal points in ministries, and engaging OPDs in decision-making were highlighted as essential steps forward.