The number of individuals with Down Syndrome is increasing worldwide, but they need to be included and rehabilitated in order for them to attend normal schools and grow up with other children, experts have said.
They were speaking at a program to observe Down Syndrome Awareness Month at American International University - Bangladesh (AIUB) on Thursday.
AIUB’s Department of Public Health and Down Syndrome Society of Bangladesh jointly organized the event.
The speakers also mentioned that these children faced significant institutional discrimination, and society needed to do more to support them.
The theme for this year's awareness month is #InclusionMeans. Its main goal is to ensure the inclusion and participation of underprivileged people with Down syndrome at all levels of society.
Sardar A Razzak, chairman of Down Syndrome Society of Bangladesh, presented the keynote article at the seminar.
He highlighted the key challenges in ensuring social inclusion of the people with Down syndrome in Bangladesh and discussed the steps needed to be taken at public and private levels.
“These children do not pose a problem for society. We have seen today that they spontaneously danced and sang on the stage. It is our responsibility to provide the support they need.”
That support was missing in Bangladesh, he added.
“Most people with Down Syndrome are victims of institutional discrimination.”
The Netherlands Ambassador to Bangladesh Anne van Leeuwen, who attended the event as guest of honour, said: "Down Syndrome is an important issue. Like the rest of the world, the number of people with Down Syndrome is increasing in Bangladesh. Their rehabilitation and inclusion are the need of the hour.”
The envoy also noted that family members needed to have an idea of how to properly nurture these children in order to communicate with them and understand their interests.
Leeuwen said these measures would help children with Down syndrome develop their skills.
AIUB Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Dean Prof Tazul Islam said this kind of observation on campus was very significant and the event would play a vital role in creating awareness about Down Syndrome among students.
The month was meant to raise awareness among the general public about the special care these children needed, he added.
AIUB Vice Chancellor Dr Carmen Z Lamagna said there was an opportunity to carry out research on Down Syndrome at the university.
It was important to create awareness and knowledge about Down Syndrome among students, she added.
Children and teenagers with Down Syndrome celebrated the event by performing a dance, songs and ramp shows on stage.
Different organizations are observing Down Syndrome Awareness Month across Bangladesh for the seventh consecutive time to create public awareness.
The month has been celebrated every year since 2016 under the initiative of the Down Syndrome Society of Bangladesh.
On Thursday it was marked through various programs with great enthusiasm on the AIUB university premises.
The morning started with a colorful rally at the main gate of the university, with children, teenagers, students, teachers and representatives of national and international organizations in attendance.
Prof Md Golam Rabbani, chairperson of the Neuro-developmental Disabilities Protection Trustee Board, Prof Hakim Arif, director general of the International Mother Language Institute, Shafiqul Islam, country director of ADD International Bangladesh, Tawhida Jahan, chairperson of Dhaka University’s Communication Disorders Department and Dr Ishrat Jahan, technical unit manager of Handicap International Bangladesh, were also present.
