Bangladesh is a country with a population of 160 million and there are an estimated 16 million people with disabilities in Bangladesh, or 10% of the country’s population according to the WHO report depending on the inclusiveness in the definition classification of disability. The country recently has become eligible to graduate from LDC to middle income country in 2024, provided it meets certain preconditions and has prioritized “disability” as one of the major thematic areas of its development agenda. However, the overall situation of Persons with Disabilities (PWD) is still far from satisfactory and the country is making strides towards a more inclusive growth. In fact, they are still granted lowest priority in service provision in Bangladesh. In committing to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Member States recognized that the dignity of the individual is fundamental, and that the Agenda’s Goals and targets should be met for all nations and people and for all segments of society. The SDGs have touched upon the issues related to the rights and development of the persons with disabilities in a number of Goals and Targets, especially Goals 4, 8, 10, 11 and 17. Goal 4 deals with inclusive and equitable quality education and promotion of life-long learning opportunities for all, including the persons with disabilities. Goal 8 seeks to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all including persons with disabilities. Closely connected to Goal 8 is Goal 10 which aims to promote social, economic and political inclusion of persons with disabilities. While Goal 11 calls for providing universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, particularly for persons with disabilities and Goal 17 urges the Member States to ensure high-quality, timely and reliable data that is also disaggregated by disability. With so much emphasis on inclusiveness, there is no denying that persons with disabilities must be incorporated in all sector since they face much more stringent challenges compared to others. They need special support as well as attention in accessing education, healthcare facilities, public transport services, etc. which bear additional cost implications. While the private sector can offer the required services, poor and vulnerable population groups are unlikely to afford these services with additional costs. In this light, the most important target for people with disabilities is SDG 8 which is to ensure Decent Work and Economic Growth for all. More than 1.7% Bangladeshi nationals are identified as disabled according to the disability detection survey conducted by the Ministry of Social Welfare (MOSW) in 2018. Against this background, the Government of Bangladesh has come up with policies and action plans that will incorporate and include this group to have a strong platform where they can voice their opinions and not be left behind.



