Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid delivered the chief guest speech at an event organized to mark the National Disability Day on Wednesday. Photo: PID

DHAKA, Dec 3, 2025 (BSS) - Social Welfare and Women and Children Affairs Adviser Sharmeen S Murshid today said persons with disabilities can be transformed into skilled human resources through proper dignity, services, care, education and training, as they are an integral part of society and the state.

"It is urgent to ensure a proper ecosystem for including persons with disabilities in the mainstream of the Sustainable Development Goals, both in Bangladesh and worldwide. All of us must come forward to safeguard their rights, safety and development," she said.

The adviser made the remarks while addressing a discussion, reception and cultural programme marking the 34th International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the 27th National Disability Day 2025 at the National Disability Development Foundation (NDDF) in Mirpur.

She said Bangladesh is observing the day in line with global celebrations, noting that this year's theme - "Fostering disability inclusive for advancing social progress", is timely and relevant.

Sustainable development and social progress, she added, can only be achieved when people from all segments of society are included in the country's development process.

Murshid said disability is not a curse and with proper care, education, training and facilities, persons with disabilities can be turned into skilled manpower. She noted that the Department of Social Services has been conducting a nationwide disability detection survey with full transparency.

So far, the department has identified 38,35,000 persons with disabilities under 12 categories and added them to the central database, while distribution of the 'Subarna Nagorik' card is underway. "We are implementing social security programmes based on this database," she said.

The department is providing a monthly allowance to 34,51,000 persons with disabilities in the current fiscal year. Additionally, education stipends have been allocated for 81,000 students with intellectual disabilities to help reduce dropout rates.

Director General of the Department of Social Services M Saidur Rahman Khan attended the function as special guest, while Social Welfare Secretary Dr Mohammad Abu Yusuf presided over the event.