SightSavers, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organized a workshop on the social safety net for people with disabilities at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), Dhaka. The workshop aimed to explore how the current social safety net system can be enhanced to better support individuals with disabilities and transform them into skilled human resources.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including Md. Azmul Haque, Director (Planning, Development, and Information Technology) and Joint Secretary of the National Disability Development Foundation under the Ministry of Social Welfare; Amrita Rozina Rosario, Country Director of SightSavers; Monsur Ahmed Chowdhury, Founder of Impact Foundation Bangladesh; A.H.M. Noman Ahmed, Executive Director of the Center for Disability in Development (CDD); Md. Shafiqul Islam, Asia Regional Director of ADD International; and Khondker Zahirul Alam, Executive Director of the Center for Services and Information on Disability (CSID), among others.
A keynote presentation was delivered by Aminul Arifeen of UNDP, identifying eight critical sectors that require attention to better integrate people with disabilities into society. These sectors include:
- Livelihood and Social Allowances
- Inclusive Education
- Accessibility, Human Development, and TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training)
- The Digital Divide
- Disability-Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction
- Artificial Intelligence
- Data Interoperability and GRS (Geographical Information Systems)
- Advocacy and Communication
These sectors were explored in workshops with various organizations, and the insights gathered will be used in future strategic planning for people with disabilities.
Speaking at the event, Amrita Rozina Rosario, Country Director of SightSavers, emphasized the importance of improving the lives of people with disabilities and enhancing the social safety net framework. She stated, “Today’s event focuses on how we can further develop people with disabilities and transform them into skilled human resources. SightSavers and UNDP have been working for the past five years on integrating people with disabilities into the social safety net framework. The Disability Act of 2013 and Bangladesh’s action plan must ensure their inclusion in education, health, and employment sectors. A significant portion of Bangladesh’s population consists of people with disabilities, many of whom have proven their capabilities both nationally and internationally. However, they still face significant barriers to opportunities. We must work together to ensure they can claim their rightful place based on merit and ability.”
Aminul Arifeen further highlighted the ongoing efforts to implement a new social security strategy, saying, “The current social safety plan, covering 2015–2025, aims to present the nation with a new social security strategy. We are preparing an action plan to ensure its effective implementation.”
The workshop also emphasized the need to go beyond allowances for people with disabilities, addressing issues such as housing, education, healthcare, and access to technology. Participants were urged to work more closely on data collection and analysis related to these areas.
The event concluded with remarks from UNDP’s S.M. Manjur Rashid, while A.H.M. Noman Khan provided a summary of the workshop outcomes.
This workshop underscores the commitment of SightSavers, UNDP, and other stakeholders to creating a more inclusive and supportive social security system for people with disabilities in Bangladesh.
