Despite the declaration and commitment enshrined in the Bangladesh constitution and declaration in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the inclusion and Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) participation in every sphere of the government is seriously missing. According to the National Survey on Persons with disability 2021, 2.80% of Bangladeshis have at least one disability; this percentage is 3.29% for men and 2.34% for women, with 2.92% living in rural areas and 2.45% in urban areas. The social and religious stigma that has been prevalent and practiced throughout history has systematically increased PWDs' exclusion from mainstream society, making it harder for them to integrate and have their views heard.
As witnessed firsthand, the story of Md. Syedar Rahman, a crippled individual in the Hatibandha Upazila in the Lalmonirhat area, is one of struggles and triumphs despite many obstacles. His four-member family's struggle is not theirs alone; rather, it is a reflection of the reality faced by thousands of people with disabilities in our country. Syedar has been visually impaired since birth. His parents initially thought that this problem might resolve itself over time. But they quickly realized that it was a permanent reality of his life. Facing this unfamiliar reality, the family has fought on one hand to protect their child from social stigmas, while on the other hand, they have strived to educate him and make him self-reliant. “You are different from others,” Mother Jahurennesha would say to her son as a source of encouragement. However, being unique is a strength rather than a problem. These words from his mother mentally prepared Syedar for the battles of life.
Syedar entered into marriage with a woman named Puti Begum, who was also born visually impaired. Their life story resembles an extraordinary tale of union. The love and mutual understanding between them were unparalleled. Despite facing numerous challenges in life, they became each other's strength. Their family grew with the arrival of two children, Sumi Akter and Sajib. Unfortunately, both children were also born with visual impairments, just like their parents. However, Syedar Rahman's misfortunes did not end there. Just as they began to dream of a better future for their children, a new chapter of adversity unfolded. Sajib suffered a severe accident, breaking one of his legs. The cost of his treatment plunged the family into deeper financial struggles. On the other hand, Sumi Akter's husband fell seriously ill, forcing Sumi to turn to her father for financial help. This heartbreaking reality seems more tragic than a story from the movies. The family’s entire livelihood depends on Syedar Rahman’s meager income from drying rice at a rice mill. Despite everything, this small income is all they have to manage their entire family’s expenses.
The story of Syedar Rahman’s family is not just the story of a single household; it reflex our society and state. This tale of struggling and living with hope amid countless limitations in life not only inspires us but also highlights the wounds of our society and state. The government’s disability allowance serves as crucial support for them, but it is far from sufficient to meet their needs. Unless the affluent members of society step forward as part of their social responsibility, people like Syedar Rahman will eventually fade away, exhausted from their relentless struggle. The SDGs make mention to disability in a number of places, particularly in sections that deal with inequality, education, growth and employment, accessibility to human settlements, data gathering, and SDG monitoring. Disability must be mainstreamed into the SDG implementation plan in order to accomplish the goals, and inclusive development must be given top priority in national and international development programs. The availability of trustworthy data on significant indicators of disabilities remains a significant challenge, although numerous international efforts to improve disability statistics. Local governments may play a vital role in empowering disabled individuals like Syedar Rahman by creating policies, programs, and services that directly impact the lives of people in their communities.
Implementing a multifaceted strategy that involves increasing accessibility, encouraging capacity-building activities, changing policies, and increasing awareness is crucial to overcoming obstacles. The obstacles PWDs encounter can be removed by providing them with specialized training and assistance, as well as by making sure they are represented in the local government. Furthermore, enhancing community engagement and cooperation with NGOs and civil society can offer PWDs the support networks they require, guaranteeing that their opinions are respected and heard. It will be essential to continuously monitor and assess these programs in order to quantify the success of inclusion efforts and adjust methods to better meet the requirements of PWDs. In the end, encouraging an inclusive culture in local government benefits PWDs as well as the community at large, resulting in a vibrant and diversified society where everyone can prosper and make a significant contribution. Bangladesh may get closer to accomplishing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and making sure that no one is left behind by making tangible progress toward inclusion.
Assistant Professor, Department of Social Science, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)
BDST: 1854 HRS, JAN 18, 2025
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