AWDP-Bangladesh

Women with disabilities in Bangladesh marching forward
Women with disabilities (WWD) have been marching forward with capabilities and commendable role in different arenas of development in Bangladesh. They are gaining prominence day by day and lighting the way forward.

Ranjana selected as International Bridge Builder of Harvard University
Umme Kulsum Ranjana, has been prestigiously selected as one among ten International Bridge Builders of Harvard University for her contribution in organizing women with disabilities’ rights movement in Bangladesh. Ranjana is a woman with physical disability and the President of Protibondhi Narider Jatio Parishad (National Council of Disabled Women-NCDW) a nation-wide network of organizations working with the women with disabilities in Bangladesh. Now Ranjona is participating in the International Conference of Bridge Builders at Harvard University, USA to deliver her speech on Experiences of Mobilizing Women with Disabilities in Rural Bangladesh held on 6-10 April 2009. Ranjona is the first Bangladeshi woman who has been selected for this award.

This year’s Bridge Builders will come from a diverse array of countries. They bring with them a wealth of experience on critical issues such as social enterprise, rural development and women’s rights. The conference is a rare opportunity for those interested in policy to share the knowledge and practical perspectives of ten incredible individuals who are successfully creating better lives for their own communities.

The 2009 International Bridge Builders Conference invites innovative pioneers from around the world to share their successes in fostering positive social change within and beyond their communities. These leaders are the ‘Bridge Builders’: rare individuals who cultivate solidarity between the multiple stakeholders involved in international development, grassroots movements, and social justice campaigns. This year, the 10 Bridge Builders exemplify commitment to public service and bring to Harvard a wealth of practical experience on many critical issues.

Nine other Bridge Builders are Gildo Cuamba from Mozambique, Veronique Kittirath from Laos, Robeto Killmeate from Argentina, Frederick Ouko Alucheli from Kenya (person with physical disability), Jacquelyn Akello from Uganda, Harman Kaur Sharda from India, Mitslal Haile-Selassie from Ethiopia, Fernando Figueroa Solano from Bolivia and Magda de Castro from Costa Rica.

For further information please visit at
http://www.hks.harvard.edu/kssgorg/bridgebuilders/Site/the_bridge_builders.html


Masuma’s 13th Solo Painting Exhibition is going on

13th Solo Painting Exhibition ‘My Dream’ of Masuma Khan started at Gallery Zoom of Alliance Francaise de Dhaka on 3 April 2009 and will continue until 17 April 2009. Masuma Khan, a woman with severe physical disability, who has been recognized as a renowned painter in Bangladesh. She started painting at her very childhood at the age of three. Previously she was awarded President’s Medal as a talented child artist; Jaycees Prize; Anonna Award as the recognition of one among ten best women personalities in Bangladesh. Masuma got her graduation degree from the Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka.
Masuma Khan’s 13th Solo Exhibition includes 18 paintings. She obviously loves to experiment with form in many of the works presented at the exhibition. She tried for a blending of the abstract with the reality which made her paintings interesting. Love as human emotion pervades all her paintings. The artist deals with the subject with her own style. The other aspect of her paintings is the hope that she always gives out.

At present she teaches painting including students with disability/special needs at South Breeze School, Dhanmondi, Dhaka.
Contact of Masuma Khan: 7114638, 01711678483