Women with Disabilities Development Foundation (WDDF)

The estimated number of Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Bangladesh, is around 15 million people, which constitutes 15 % of total population. 10% of Population have a disability. Half of these are female. This is 12 Million girls and women with disabilities (WWDs). These large number of girls and Women with Disabilities (WWDs) in Bangladesh are one of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged segment of the society. They are always discriminated based on gender, disabled and all too often, poorest of the poor. They are frequently subjected to discrimination both directly and indirectly and also negative attitudes and stereotyping. Although there are class differences, all WWDs face varying degrees of discrimination considering types and situations. WWDs often stigmatized and neglected from early childhood, many girls with disabilities are grown up in the lacking of a sense of their own self worth and dignity. Most of them are isolated from mainstream society, stigmatized, mistreated and marginalized. WWDs are deprived of basic needs including access to health service, housing, education, transportation, vocational training, employment, income generating opportunities as well as other social and community activities. inspite of having the responsibility of Bangladesh government to include women in the development process, but all mainstreaming policies have been formulated and declared exclusive of women with disabilities. Initiatives of Government and Non-Government Organizations fail to consider the specific needs of WWDs and children with Disabilities. Rather to a certain extent, WWDs have often been marginalized both within Women’s organizations, Non-Government Organizations and Disabled People’s Organizations. in the consequence, their views have not been addressed in broader advocacy agenda. Due to these grounds, the representation of girls and Women With Disabilities are very disproportionate and they are always among the “poorest of the poor”. Due to the lack of confidence, professionalism, understanding on human rights, shortage of their leadership qualities and skillness, the development of WWDs has always been restricted and these are existing as the major barriers for them to establish and manage their own organizations.