AWDP-Bangladesh

DPOs and PWDs' Self-help Issues discussed in the Commonwealth Conference

In December 2006, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) was adopted in the UN General Assembly. Following this historic achievement, disability organisations are working to ensure that the governments ratify the Convention, and most importantly to see that all governments implement the changes needed to ensure that persons with disabilities have full and equal enjoyment of human rights. The Commonwealth Foundation through its Disabled Peoples Forum and LCD through its work in 52 countries are working towards ratification of UNCRPD in all Commonwealth countries. As part of this initiative, a “Regional Conference on Disability in Commonwealth Asia”, was held at Bangalore (India) from 6th to 8th December 2008. 33 representatives from Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, UK and Sri Lanka attended the conference. AWDP Secretary and Coordinator Md. Mahbubul Ashraf attended the conference as an invited resource person from Bangladesh among others.

People with disabilities self-help endeavours drawn attention of the audience with utmost importantce, as an effective means of empowerment of PWDs in this region.

AWDP Secretary and Coordinator Md. Mahbubul Ashraf has made a compresensive presentation on 'endeavors of Self-Help Groups and DPOs in Bangladesh'. He highlighted that the SHGs/DPOs have united people with disabilities and have increased their self-confidence and esteem in his presentation. He mentioned, because of these groups, today, disabled persons have a vision for a better future with dignity and rights.