Speakers at a discussion on Monday underscored that strengthening the leadership of persons with disabilities is essential in today’s world.

Their (persons with disabilities) leadership is not only pivotal for personal development but can also create new opportunities for inclusive and sustainable progress within society, they said at an event held at Lake Castle Hotel in Dhaka’s Gulshan, to mark the 33rd International and 26th National Day of Persons with Disabilities, according to a press release.

Disabled Child Foundation (DCF) in collaboration with Caritas Bangladesh, Manusher Jonno Foundation, ADD International, and CBM Global Disability Inclusion Bangladesh organized the event.

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Md Anwar Hossain, acting director general of the NGO Affairs Bureau was present as the chief guest.

Nasrin Jahan, executive director of the Disabled Child Foundation (DCF), chaired the event. Abu Hanif Mohammad Farhad, DCF technical coordinator, delivered the keynote address.

The speakers highlighted that people with disabilities represent a unique and powerful force capable of driving transformative change when provided with the right opportunities.

They stressed that addressing disability-related issues should not be limited to the Ministry of Social Welfare alone. Instead, all ministries should integrate disability considerations into their operational frameworks and ensure that national budgets reflect these needs.

They also called for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in disaster risk management, with Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) playing a crucial role as resource institutions. Achieving these goals, they said, requires policy reforms and systemic changes.

Furthermore, the speakers emphasised the importance of enforcing laws that protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities, focusing on enhancing their mental health and capabilities. While additional funding may not always be necessary, a shift in perspective is essential. They noted that the absence of funds should not be used as an excuse for failing to implement disability-inclusive development.

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The guests of honour included Farzana Ahmed, Technical Coordinator of ADD International; Irin Murmu, Coordinator (DRR-DM) of Caritas Bangladesh; and Nazrana Yasmin Hira, Program Coordinator of Manusher Jonno Foundation.