'Incorporate them into development process'
Around 2500 physically challenged women from 27 districts took part in the convention.
Action on Disability and Development (ADD), a UK-based organisation working in 13 countries of Africa and Asia to promote human rights of physically challenged people, organised the day-long convention at Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre to bring into national focus physically challenged women, the most neglected and chronic poor group in the society.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Organiser claimed that National Disabled Women's Convention 2006 is the first such convention even in the history of the disability movement anywhere in the world.
Physically challenged people along with civil society leaders, human rights activists, representatives of government, international organisations and diplomatic missions, and media men, attended the convention and called for the incorporation of physically challenged women into the country's development process.
The participants also suggested that people with disability should be brought to mainstream of life by providing them with education and employment.
They said an estimated 1.40 crore or 10 percent of the total population in the country are the people with disability and among them 70 lakh are women.
Inaugurating the convention Communication Minister Nazmul Huda said physically challenged people in general face much inconvenience in the society, but of them the women with disability are subjected to more discrimination.
"Physically challenged women are more neglected in family and society than their male counterparts," he said.
Huda said the government has decided to recruit 10 percent physically challenged people in all kinds of government jobs.
Isaac Kute, chief executive of ADD, said many factors including violence, road accidents, natural calamities and malnutrition are pushing up the number of handicapped people.
He said people with disability, if given proper assistance, could contribute significantly to country's welfare.
SM Zahrul Islam, secretary to local government and rural development (LGRD) ministry, said country's development is not possible ignoring the people with disability.
He however claimed that disability caused by malnutrition and lack of medical facility is decreasing gradually.
Khushi Kabir, co-ordinator of Nijera Kori, said policymakers should try to ensure equal opportunity for people with disability.
She urged all to create awareness and come forward to eliminate violence against physically challenged women.
National Disabled Women's Council President Umme Kulsum Ranjana chaired the inaugural session which was addressed by Director General of Social Services Hafizul Islam Miah, ACME Group of Industries Chairperson Nasir Ur Rahamn Sinha, ADD Director (India) Ramchandran and ADD Country Representative Mosharraf Hossain.
State Minister for Law Shahjahan Omar was the chief guest at the second session where Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu, Legislators Shajahan Khan, Ghulam Mohammad Quader, Asaduzzamn Noor, Zahir Uddin Swapon and Bilkis Islam, Municipal Association of Bangladesh President Advocate Azmat Ullah Khan, Akter Hossain of National Grass-roots Disabled Organisation and Researcher Tahirunnessa Abdullah also spoke.
Bangladesh Economics Association Chairperson Dr Qazi Khalequzzaman Ahmed was chief guest at the third session where Bangladesh Mahila Parishad General Secretary Ayesha Khanam, Amar Desh Advisory Editor Ataus Samad, Unnayan Shamannay Chairperson Ataur Rahman and Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK) Executive Director Sultana Kamal also took part.
ASK Founder Member Dr Hameeda Hossain was chief guest at the last session where Brac Executive Director Abdul Muyeed Chowdhury, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Dhaka Jalal Uddin Ahmad, Dr Sitara Chuni of National Disabled Women's Council and former adviser to the caretaker government Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud also spoke.