A “National Dialogue on the Rights of Women with Disabilities” was held at the Dhaka Press Club VIP Lounge in Dhaka, Bangladesh on 20 August 2009 between 10.00 am to 01.00 pm. The conference was well attended, with over 120 participants, from a wide range of backgrounds— individuals living with disabilities and their families, political leaders, foreign mission/high commission representatives, National/International NGO representatives, providers of disability and social support services. A Number of important government officials or Focal Persons and media personnel were also present.
The conference opened with a welcoming address from Mr. Abdus Sattar Dulal, the founder and Executive Director of BPKS, the sponsoring agency for the event. Ashrafun Nahar Misti, Coordinator of the Women with Disabilities Network at BPKS presented the key note paper for the program. Also addressing the participants were Rawshan Ara, Director General Women And Children Affairs Department, Charles Whitley, First Secretary of the European Commission to Bangladesh, Renata Lok Dessallien, United Nations Development Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, Dr. Imteaz Ahmed, Professor International relation Department, Dhaka University.
The program was organized by BPKS, with support from the European Union. Dr, Dipu Moni honorable Minister of Foreign Affairs Ministry in Bangladesh spoke as chief guest.
Information was also provided about the situation for Women with Disabilities, their needs and their rights. The objective of the dialogue was to provide an opportunity for participants to learn about the complex issues facing WWDs at the individual, social and national levels.
The Dialogue resulted in the generation of a number of key recommendations in relation to Women with disabilities and;
• Women’s Development policy
• Women Rights
• Accessible environment
• Education
• Employment and Economic independence
• Political empowerment
• Economical participation
• Justice in relation to violence against women
Established in 1985, BPKS works all over the country. Nationally and internationally, BPKS provides information, guidance and support in forming representative disabled people’s organizations and promoting the self confidence and capacity building of individuals and groups at the grassroots level. It is replicating its own approach, called PSID (Persons with Disability Self Initiative to Development) to build the self-reliance and strength of persons with disabilities. BPKS networks with a variety of other agencies to motivate persons with disabilities so that maximum development impact can be achieved. With the support of its donors, BPKS works improve the quality of life of persons with disabilities throughout the country.
Chief Guest said that forming a law is not enough unless it is implemented with strict monitoring which requires political commitment.
She also said that financial investment and change of mindset is required to bring women with disabilities into mainstream adding ‘Empowerment of women is not possible without participation of about 7.5 million women with disabilities in Bangladesh.
Writer:
Azmal Hosen Mamun
Development Activist and Freelance Journalist.
Uttara, Dhaka-1230.
Mob:01191089075
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