Sylhet Bureau :
A multi-stakeholder workshop on civil rights for persons with disabilities was held in Sylhet under the initiative of Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN).
Deputy Director of Sylhet District Social Services Office Md. Abdur Rafiq addressed the workshop as the chief guest on Sunday (September 28) at the conference room of a luxury hotel in Mirzajangal Sylhet city.
Under the Promoting Gender-Responsive Enterprise Development and Training Systems (PROGRESS) project with the support of the International Labor Organization (ILO) and Global Affairs Canada, the workshop was addressed as the guest of honor by BSCIC Sylhet DGM Md. Sohel Howlader, Sylhet TTC Instructor Md. Zakir Hossain, DGM of Fulkoli Mohammad Jasim Uddin.
The workshop discussed the national disability data and employment trends, various policy weaknesses including the National Skills Policy and Labor Law, and the reality of people with disabilities in Sylhet city. Participants included awareness-raising, influencing policies and decisions, and inclusive vocational training as priority demands through group discussions.
The workshop was co-organized by Community Based Disabled and Child Protection Organization CBDCPO and Access Bangladesh Foundation. The objective of the workshop was to advance inclusive skill development and employment for people with disabilities in the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.
Representatives of the Divisional Social Services, District Women’s Affairs Department, Disability Services and Support Center, District Social Services Office, District Youth Development Officer, Technical and Vocational Education and Training Institutions, Local Disabled Persons’ Organizations (OPDs) and other stakeholders participated in the programme.
Speaking as the chief guest, Sylhet District Social Services Office Deputy Director Md. Abdur Rafiq said that the government is working for the improvement of the quality of life and welfare of the disabled. Along with the government, the activities to turn the disabled into human resources through the Bangladesh Business and Disability Network (BBDN) workshop are great and commendable initiatives.
He said that instead of considering disabled people as the understanding of the society, he called on everyone to work together to establish and support them.
