No specific policy for 75 lakh physically challenged women

Ashraful Nahar, member secretary of Pratibandhi Nari Unnayan Foundation, speaks at a press conference at the National Press Club yesterday.Photo: STAR

Though there are around 75 lakh physically challenged women in the country, there is no specific national policy to protect their rights, said the speakers at a press conference yesterday.
They said the physically challenged women face two to three times more discrimination in the society for being women with disability.
The press conference was organised by Women with Disabilities Development Foundation (WDDF), a newly formed organisation, at the National Press Club in the city ahead of the National Day for Persons with Disabilities today.
In a written speech at the press conference Ashrafun Nahar, member-secretary of the organisation, said social insecurity, indifferent attitude and lack of awareness do not let the physically challenged women take part in development activities.
They urged the government to provide due facilities to physically challenged women to ensure their rights to education and employment in government and private sectors.
They also called for awareness building programmes in mass media
for physically challenged women to ensure their access to different modes of transport and institutions.
Foundation Chairman Sabina Hossain Kachi, Vice-chairman Shirin Akhter, Treasurer Anjuman Ara Begum and members Roxana Sherif and Lucky Akhter were also present on the occasion.
To mark the day, the WDDF will organise a handicrafts exhibition at the Ramna Park.