In a tripartite collaboration, Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Programme with Sightsavers– Disability Alliance on SDGs Bangladesh, and the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD) organized the second day long workshop on 21st March 2022 to map social protection programmes for organizations of persons with disabilities, to find areas to reduce inefficiencies, increase productivity, define challenges and share a platform where both the Government and non-state actors can work together towards achieving an inclusive and just society with the notion of Leaving No One Behind.
The secound workshop was attended by 12 organisation who presented their vision and mission, the number of programmes they dealt with across the lifecycle, who their beneficiaries were, the challenges they faced, ways of mitigation and effects of COVID-19 on their lives and how they responded to the pandemic. The workshop was an interesting event where we also heard personal stories from persons with disabilities.
The workshop began with welcome remarks by the Convener of the Disability Alliance on SDGs Bangladesh, Ms. Amrita Rozario, Country Director, Sightsavers, Bangladesh which was preceeded by Mr. Aminul Arifeen, Project Manager, Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Programme, UNDP laying the aims of the Workshop.
On behalf of the development partners, Anwarul Haque, Social Development Adviser, FCDO, spoke on the valuable role of mapping in policy matters and Asif Kashem, Senior Programme Manager, DFAT, commented on how inspirational the workshop was and how this would be inclusive in policy matters.
Ms. Zuena Aziz, Principal Coordinator (SDGs Affairs), Prime Minister’s Office and Chief Guest, spoke on the important role of family in being empathetic about persons with disabilities, everyone should have a positive outlook for persons with disabilities. This mindset needs to be broken.
The Special Guest, Dr. Md Kawser Ahmed, Member (Secretary), GED of Planning Commission, spoke highly on a successful, learning workshop. Thanking UNDP, DFAT, FCDO, he stated that the Government has in the 8th Five Year Plan plans for persons with disabilities.
Within this purview, the interview also heard personal stories of persons with disabilities.
