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Don’t wait for change to happen: be the change!

Join our campaign for disability rights to ensure equality for all in Bangladesh.

A young girl in school uniform walks outside in Bangladesh.

The Equal Bangladesh campaign is a powerful movement for change that will have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of people with disabilities in the country.

This coalition campaign aims to promote disability rights and inclusive policies in Bangladesh.

We are calling for the National Disability Act 2013 to be implemented, which will ensure disability rights are embedded into national legislation and domesticate the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Background to our campaign

The government of Bangladesh has signed and ratified almost all human rights treaties, including the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

It has also taken steps to domesticate its international obligations, with laws either newly enacted or modified.

Full implementation of the Disability Act 2013 and the National Action Plan are critical if the rights of people with disabilities are to be realised in Bangladesh.

Currently, there are key gaps and barriers to fully implementing the Disability Act and Action Plan.

We seek to influence policymakers to adopt measures that enhance the rights of people with disabilities.

The aim is to make sure everyone has access to resources, employment, and public services by ensuring the National Action Plan on Disability is implemented effectively.

Meet the steering commitee

The campaign is run by a committee of eight members from coalition partners, elected by all members, with Sightsavers serving as the secretariat.

Our committee members:

Nasima Akter, National Council of Disabled Women
Bashir Al-Hossain, National Grassroots Disabilities Organization
Jahangir Alam, Centre for Disability in Development
Mohammed Antaj Ali, Manikganj Disabled People’s Organization to Development
Nasrin Jahan, Disabled Child Foundation
Morjina Ahmed, Disabled Welfare Society
Mohammed Shahidul Islam, Tangail Disabled People’s Organization to Development
Salma Mahbub, Bangladesh Society for the Change and Advocacy Nexus (B-SCAN)

Equal Bangladesh Steering committee, 8 people stood in front of a banner

Behind-the-scenes with Equal Bangladesh

In March 2024 activists from across Bangladesh came together to plan the next steps of the campaign and collaborate for change that will have a positive and lasting impact on the lives of people with disabilities in the country.

Watch the video to find out what they got up to.