United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) hosted an event in March 2022 for organisations working to better the lives of persons with disabilities (PWD).
The workshop, organised by UNDP's Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Programme in collaboration with Sightsavers– Disability Alliance on SDGs Bangladesh and the Centre for Disability in Development (CDD), was held in Dhaka where 12 organisations attended the daylong event, to map a joint social protection programme for (PWD) and share a common platform where both the government and non-state actors can participate.
Zuena Aziz, Prime Minister's Office Principal Coordinator (SDGs Affairs) and Chief Guest, spoke on the importance of family in being empathetic to people with disabilities, and how everyone should have a positive view on persons with disabilities. This thinking must be changed.
Anwarul Haque, FCDO's Social Development Adviser, talked on behalf of the development partners about the importance of mapping in policy concerns, while Asif Kashem, DFAT's Senior Programme Manager, remarked on how inspiring the workshop was and how it would be inclusive in policy matters.
The Special Guest, Dr. Md Kawser Ahmed, Member (Secretary), GED of the Planning Commission, emphasised that the government has plans for persons with disabilities in the 8th Five Year Plan.
Earlier Aminul Arifeen, Project Manager, UNDP's Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Programme, laid out the workshop's goals before welcoming remarks from the Convener of the Disability Alliance on SDGs Bangladesh, . Amrita Rozario, Country Director, Sightsavers, Bangladesh.
The organisations presented their mission and vision, highlighted their work with beneficiaries and outlined the challenges posed by the pandemic. The session was made even more intriguing by hearing personal stories from people with disabilities themselves.
UNDP has been working with the government of Bangladesh to roll out the National Social Security Strategy through the Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Programme, in partnership with the Cabinet Division and the General Economics Division (GED) of the Planning Commission, supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).