Dhaka DC Farida Khanam : Equal rights, not pity, key to empowering persons with disabilities
Staff Correspondent
Dhaka Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanom has stressed that persons with disabilities require rights and equal opportunities rather than pity or charity, calling for inclusive policies across all levels of society.
Speaking as the chief guest at an exchange meeting organized by disability rights organizations at the Dhaka District Administration conference room on Tuesday (August 4) , she emphasized that national development cannot be sustainable if any segment of the population is left behind.
"Persons with disabilities need rights, not pity; equal opportunities, not compassion; and dignity, not charity," the Deputy Commissioner remarked, underlining the necessity of ensuring unhindered access to education, healthcare, employment, and social security.
She commended the collaborative efforts of organizations including CSID, SWID Bangladesh, B-SCAN, AMDAB, and Access Bangladesh Foundation, which have been working toward empowerment under a two-year project supported by the Manusher Jonno Foundation.
Stressing that policies affecting disabled individuals must be formulated with their direct participation, Khanom noted that effective implementation of existing legal frameworks remains paramount.
